Head of policy research jobs in bristol

Job title: Website and UX Manager

Service: Digital Marketing

Salary: Grade 4 point 29: £36,842 FTE per annum + £480 home working allowance

Hours: 37 hours per week (full time)

Location: Home-based

Contract: Permanent

Responsible to: Website and Digital Content Manager

Family Action & the Role’s Impact:

Family Action is a national charity that supports people through change, challenge and crisis across England and Wales. On 1st January 2025, Relate, the largest provider of relationship support, joined the organisation helping us reach even more people and support the creation of secure foundations for children and young people, and safe, supportive relationships for all. 

For over 150 years Family Action has seen first-hand the power of family and relationships to shape lives, for better or worse. That's why we speak up for the importance of family in national and local policymaking, amplify family voices and represent the changing needs of families in the UK today.

Whatever family means or looks like to us, it's relationships that matter. With Relate at Family Action, we are able to extend the support we provide with counselling, information, mediation and support to individuals, couples and families from all backgrounds and sexualities, as well as provide expert training for relationship support practitioners.

This is an exciting opportunity to join our organisation and help shape the future of Relate’s website and online presence as part of Family Action.

Job Summary:

As part of the Website and Digital Content Team and wider Digital Marketing Department you will oversee Relate at Family Action’s website and online client experience, driving brand awareness and sales of products and services.

You will be responsible for the day-to-day management of Relate’s website and the writing of digital content, and support the brand’s long term transformation as part of the adaptive change programme, working closely with the Website and Digital Content Manager, Head of Digital Marketing, Brand and Marketing Manager and other key stakeholders.

This is an exciting opportunity to join our organisation and help shape the future of Relate’s website and online presence as part of Family Action.

Key Tasks & Responsibilities:

1. Manage and optimise Relate at Family Action’s website and online user experience, driving traffic, engagement and sales of products and services.

2. Work closely with key colleagues including the Brand and Marketing Manager, Website and Digital Content Manager and Social Media Team to position and market Relate’s services and plan content.

3. Work closely with B2C and B2B teams, and other internal stakeholders to understand website requirements and improve representation online.

4. Manage digitally delivered products such as Toolkits and Relate’s AI chatbot, including re-marketing and upgrade activity to drive clients to further services on the website.

5. Support the creation of new Toolkits for sale, working closely with the Brand and Marketing Manager and service delivery colleagues to research and test new topics and write content.

6. Develop and write keyword rich content including stories, and support articles on often sensitive subjects, to build brand awareness, improve findability and warm up audiences.

7. Monitor and improve SEO across the Relate website.

8. Support Relate’s adaptive change programme including the website review workstream, working closely with the Website and Digital Content Manager, Head of Digital Marketing and other key stakeholders.

9. Support the development of a new CRM for Relate, working closely with the Systems and Technology Team and Service Delivery Team to ensure a seamless front end client experience.

10. Manage existing infrastructure and systems integrated across the website client journey such as Acuity Scheduling, Typeform and Stripe.

11. Maintain and improve Relate’s website accessibility ensuring it meets WCAG 2.1 AA standard wherever possible.

12. Use sophisticated data and insight tools to test, measure and evaluate content, and website performance, and monitor emerging trends in the wider market.

13. Produce regular reports for senior stakeholders including data and commentary around website performance.

14. Work with external agencies to deliver effective PPC search and display ad campaigns.

15. Manage relationships with external suppliers, contractors, and service providers involved in digital initiatives at Relate.

16. Embrace and implement Family Action’s Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Policy in every aspect of your work and positively promote its principles amongst colleagues, service users and other members of the community.

17. Comply with Family Action’s Health and Safety and Data Protection policies and protect your own and others’ health, safety and welfare.

18. Work flexibly as may be required by the needs of the organisation and carry out other reasonable duties as required.  

Main Responsibilities (check the job description and person specification for further details):

· Manage and optimise Relate at Family Action’s website and online user experience, driving traffic, engagement and sales of products and services.

· Work closely with key colleagues including the Brand and Marketing Manager, Website and Digital Content Manager and Social Media Team to position and market Relate’s services and plan content.

· Develop and write keyword rich content including stories, and support articles on often sensitive subjects, to build brand awareness, improve findability and warm up audiences.

· Support the creation of new Toolkits for sale, working closely with the Brand and Marketing Manager and service delivery colleagues to research and test new topics and write content.

· Support Relate’s adaptive change programme including the website review workstream, working closely with the Website and Digital Content Manager, Head of Digital Marketing and other key stakeholders.

Main Requirements (check the job description and person specification for further details):

· Extensive experience of managing and developing a website within a complex organisation.

· Experience of developing complex user journeys and improving user experience.

· Extensive experience of writing keyword rich website copy and digital content and an excellent knowledge of SEO best practice.

· Good understanding of online and offline marketing strategies, including sales funnels, particularly in a commercial context.

Benefits:

- an annual paid leave entitlement of 30 working days plus bank holidays

- up to 6% matched-pension contributions

- flexible working arrangements and new starters have the right to make flexible working requests from day one of employment

- enhanced paid sick leave and paid family leave provisions

- eye care and winter flu jabs vouchers

- cycle to work scheme

- investing in your professional development with ongoing quality training and career development opportunities

We are forward looking, ambitious and committed to continuous improvement. We are a people focused, can-do organisation, which strives for excellence in all we do and operates with mutual respect.

To Apply:

· Click the “Apply Now” link below and fill out our digital application form

· Closing Date: Sunday 21st September at 23:59

· To learn more about Family Action: Careers

Interviews are likely to take place virtually on 29th and 30th September.

For direct queries or if you would like to discuss any aspect of the selection process or flexible working requests, please email: Matthew Dennis (full email address located in advert document)

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion:

We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that candidates may need during the recruitment process and you will be asked whether you require any adjustments if shortlisted for interview. We also make reasonable adjustments on the job, where required.

We have a fantastic opportunity for an enthusiastic, proactive and driven Fundraising Manager to join our team at Brain Tumour Support. You will be joining the team at an exciting time as we seek to grow our supporter base both locally and nationally.

You will assume responsibility for the delivery of the fundraising strategy to achieve ambitious unrestricted income targets through Corporate Partnerships, Community Fundraising and Individual Giving. Motivating and line managing a small, but growing fundraising team, you will ensure activity levels are on track to achieve both income and awareness targets for the charity.

Ideal candidates must come from a charity fundraising background, with the drive to inspire a team, grow income, build relationships and initiate opportunities for development of the fundraising function. This role will suit a dynamic and positive individual, with a proven track record and extensive experience of meeting demanding income targets within various income streams, one of which should be Corporate, community or individual fundraising. Experience of developing and leading a team to success is desirable for this role.

This in an exciting and varied role, that you will be able to really put your stamp on, working with a really engaged charity team and reporting to the Head of Fundraising and Operations.

We value our staff and offer a welcoming working environment with an enthusiastic and committed team. We can offer you:

- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

- Enhanced sickness pay scheme

- Flexible working and hybrid working patterns

- Family friendly and carer supportive policies

- Opportunities for training and development

- Robust supportive supervision, and 1:1’s

- Whole team working practices and opportunities to feel close to the support delivery

- Whole team charity away days once a year, with overnight stay and socials

- Staff engagement incentives throughout the year

- Wellbeing and mental health support

Our mission is that no-one feels alone when facing the effects of a brain tumour diagnosis and this is an exciting time to join the team as we look to the future.

The role has a requirement to work some evenings and weekends to meet supporter needs, and will require some travel. A full UK driving licence is essential.

If you would like an informal chat regarding the role, please contact Sarah or Emma

Are you a creative fundraiser who loves writing compelling proposals and building meaningful relationships with funders? Join Let Me Know’s small, ambitious team as a Trusts and Foundations Fundraiser and help us secure vital funds to educate thousands more young people about the signs of healthy and unhealthy relationships, supporting them to live happy, healthy lives, free from abuse.

This role is perfect for you if:

• You love crafting engaging, persuasive funding proposals and reports that inspire support.

• You enjoy building and nurturing strong relationships with funders who share our vision.

• You value a mix of independent and collaborative working.

• You're looking for an organisation that embraces flexibility; this role’s 17.5 hours can be spread over the week to fit your home life.

• You enjoy being part of a small team, and an organisation where you feel close to the impact you’re making.

So, if you’re passionate about ending relationship abuse and domestic violence, and have a track record of success in Trusts & Foundations fundraising, we’d love to hear from you.

Role Summary

• 17.5 hours per week (ideally spread over 3-4 days)

• £35,400 pro-rata (£17,700 for 17.5 hours)

• Working from home with some travel to Central London, including one day per month for an in-person team meeting / work day. 

About Let Me Know (LMK)

Good relationships shape our health and happiness, yet we are taught so little about them. LMK (Let Me Know) is on a mission to change that. We are a young and thriving charity providing education about healthy and unhealthy behaviours so that young people have the knowledge and skills to avoid abuse and thrive in their relationships. We work in schools, community organisations and workplaces across London. 

LMK is growing at pace and we are ambitious in our plans for the future. We’ve already engaged 21,000 young people and professionals in our workshops in our first five years and we want to reach 18,000 young people over the next two years. We will achieve this by engaging new schools, community groups and workplaces in our offer, whilst also continuing to provide a high-quality service to those who have already experienced LMK workshops. 

Key to our success is raising the funds to support our work. Our fundraising is primarily from grants received from charitable trusts and foundations, but we have a focus on diversifying income to include major donors, individual giving, and corporate fundraising.

We have:

✔ A clear plan for our workshop delivery over the next three years, and a fundraising plan to support it

✔ An engaged leadership team and Board of Trustees

✔ Evidenced outcomes, rich data/statistics and compelling case studies

✔ Diversity and strong social purpose

✔ A new organisational strategy that sets our vision from 2024-2027

✔ A new CRM system that has been built to support our ambitions

Job Description

This is a new role, joining a small and growing fundraising team. The purpose of this Trusts and Foundations Fundraising Manager role is to grow LMK’s income generation from Charitable Trusts and Foundations, to support delivery of LMK’s mission. 

The role is a true combination of independent and collaborative working. Independent in the writing of bespoke funding applications and reports, maintaining accurate records on LMK’s CRM, and researching to continually build LMK’s pipeline of Trusts & Foundation prospects. 

And collaborative in the close working with LMK’s core team to monitor and report on restricted grants, and working together with the wider fundraising team on creative projects such as: maintaining an updated library of cases for support, implementation of fresh and creative stewardship strategies that bring LMK supporters closer to our work, and cultivation strategies that engage supporters to whom LMK is brand new. 

The role requires strong relationship building skills, which will be drawn upon in your direct working with Trust & Foundation supporters and internally with LMK colleagues. 

Key Responsibilities

• Writing bespoke funding applications: you will be responsible for maintaining a regular pipeline of applications, writing and submitting proposals to new and existing Trust & Foundation supporters, including six-figure and multi-year grants, working to targets for both income generated and outputs (e.g. number of proposals per month).

• Grant reporting: using LMK’s CRM system and working collaboratively with the core team to produce high quality, timely reports for both restricted and unrestricted grants.

• Providing excellent relationship management: to build trusted and lasting relationships with existing and new supporters, including delivery of stewardship and cultivation strategies.

• Case for support development: with support from the wider fundraising team, you will maintain a library of creative and compelling cases for support for use in Trusts & Foundations fundraising. 

• Researching Prospects: identifying suitable new Trusts & Foundations for LMK to approach, and developing and delivering approaches to cultivate early, new relationships. 

• Maintaining accurate, data-compliant records on LMK’s CRM: ensuring all grant records are stored securely, and delivery commitments are effectively communicated to relevant staff members in a timely manner.

Other responsibilities

• Comply with LMK’s policies and procedures, including those relating to safeguarding, bullying and harassment, health & safety, confidentiality, complaints and data protection

• Work in a way that celebrates diversity, upholds LMK values and respects everyone LMK interacts with (including freelancers, staff members, volunteers and workshop participants)

Reporting to LMK’s Head of Fundraising & Development, you will work collaboratively with LMK’s core team, including three fundraising colleagues: one part-time Fundraising Manager, one freelance Grants Fundraiser and one full-time Head of Fundraising & Development.

Person Specification 

• Proven experience of leading on Trust & Foundation applications generating  high 5-figure and multi-year grants.

• Experience of working with colleagues to provide financial information to funders e.g. developing budgets for grant requests and financial reporting at the end of a grant.

• At least 3 years’ experience in successfully delivering and/or supporting a grant fundraising programme, including demonstrable experience of working to targets and managing multiple deadlines, and understanding the trust & foundations fundraising landscape.

• Successfully managing a portfolio of at least 15 Trusts and Foundation relationships, with evidence of providing excellent relationship management and stewardship strategies resulting in renewed and/or increased levels of financial support from partners.

• Experience of using a CRM system to manage all aspects of grant fundraising, including maintaining a pipeline of grant prospects, managing live grants, and regular data input that helps to store a full picture of our funder relationships.

• Excellent written skills, with proven experience of developing a compelling case for support that connects prospective funders with the charity’s mission and is grounded in the charity’s strategic priorities and funding needs.

• Highly organised to manage a diverse workload with excellent time management and attention to detail. 

• Strong MS Office/Google knowledge, numerate, comfortable with data

Safeguarding

This role is subject to a Basic DBS check

In return for your dedication, we will offer you

✔ The opportunity to help prevent relationship abuse and domestic violence in young people

✔ A competitive salary

✔ Working from home

✔ A genuinely flexible working environment 

✔ Pension of 6%

✔ 32 Days of annual leave, (including bank holidays), prorated for part time roles

✔ Employee Assistance Programme

✔ Wellbeing perks

✔ A diverse, bold and collaborative culture with two social meet-ups annually in London

Reasons for applying for this post

We need you to give us specific information to support your application so that we can shortlist in a fair and unbiased way. We recommend that you use a covering letter to provide as much evidence as possible to show how your skills, abilities, knowledge and experience meet each of the selection criteria in the person specification for the role. Please provide examples which are relevant to the role you are applying for (if you prefer, you can provide us with a video of no longer than 3 mins - please email this to us once you have submitted your application)

Interviews will be held in person (London) on Wednesday, 1st October

AMR Action UK is the UK patient organisation for people impacted by antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Our focus is on engagement with patients and their families, delivering direct support through our information service, peer-support through patient panels, and small-scale research projects.

AMR Action UK seeks to empower patients, families, and carers to have their voices heard on matters that affect their lives and to be able to influence research priorities, policy and implementation changes at government level, and changes in NHS practices, across the four nations of the UK.

About this role 

AMR is a global problem which many believe is bigger than climate change in terms of both potential impact (the end of modern medicine as we know it) and urgency. While many of the solutions are long-term in nature, in the UK we can address many issues right now which will reduce the harm from AMR, meaning that less people die and many more people will avoid reduced quality of life. 

In 2025 Antibiotic Research UK changed its name to AMR Action UK, with an ambitious strategy to address the harm from AMR across all four nations of the UK. This post plays a vital role in a passionate and driven team generating sustainable fundraising income and building the foundations for AMR Action UK’s vision and long-term impact. 

Purpose of the role 

To shape and deliver a balanced, strategic and proactive programme of trusts and foundations fundraising, achieving immediate targets whilst cultivating and developing partnerships for the future.

Shape the future of the voice of the rare condition community.

Genetic Alliance UK is looking for an exceptional Director of Engagement and Impact to transform how we connect with our 220+ member organisations, communicate our mission, and foster a thriving, supportive team culture.

If you’re a strategic leader with a gift for building relationships, crafting compelling messages, and creating positive change, this is your opportunity to make a lasting difference for the 3.5 million people in the UK affected by genetic, rare and undiagnosed conditions. 

Director of Engagement and Impact
Salary: £55,167 – £63,654 (with new starters usually starting at the lower end of the range)
Location: Home-based, UK (occasional travel required)
Contract: Permanent, full-time (35 hours per week) with applications for up to 28 hours per week considered.
Closing date: 09:00 on Monday 22 Sept 2025 

About Genetic Alliance UK
Genetic Alliance UK is the national charity working to improve the lives of the 3.5 million people in the UK affected by genetic, rare and undiagnosed conditions. We are an alliance of over 220 charities and support groups, bringing together patient voices to campaign for timely diagnosis, better care, and improved access to treatments. We host Rare Disease UK and SWAN UK, and lead national activity for Rare Disease Day.

About the role
This is a new senior leadership position designed to strengthen our membership engagement, amplify our communications impact, and support a positive, collaborative working culture.

As part of our Senior Management Team, you will:

• Lead and develop our approach to engaging and supporting our diverse membership.

• Provide strategic oversight for all communications, ensuring our messages are clear, consistent and impactful across multiple audiences.

• Champion and embed systems for staff performance, development and wellbeing, ensuring our culture is inclusive, supportive, and sustainable.

You will oversee the Head of Membership and Communications, the Communications and Engagement Manager (SWAN UK), and two new posts (Communications Officer and Project Support Officer). You will also provide operational oversight of SWAN UK, and work closely with the Policy, Public Affairs and Research teams to maximise impact.

About you
We are looking for a strategic leader who combines a talent for building relationships with outstanding communication skills. You will bring experience of leading teams, delivering organisational change, and working effectively with diverse stakeholders. You will be comfortable navigating the needs of a membership organisation, and passionate about making a tangible difference for people living with rare conditions.

What we offer

• Generous pension (5% employer, 3% employee)

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays and full office closure over Christmas/New Year

• Flexible, home-based working with occasional UK travel. 

• The opportunity to lead work that has a direct and lasting impact for people affected by rare conditions

Job Title: Online Engagement and Inclusion Lead (Young People’s Services)

Organisation: Kids

Location: Remote work with occasional travel to London for in-person meeting

Hours: 36 hours per week

Contract: Fixed term for 2 years

Salary- £31,000 - £33,000

Purpose

This role leads the coordination of Kids’ online engagement and digital inclusion work for young people with SEND, including information provision, participation, and wellbeing support. You will deliver a two-year Online Wellbeing and Resilience Support Programme, including identifying and engaging digitally excluded young people to help them access vital digital tools and services. The role also drives collaboration across the Digital Services Consortium (a collaboration of 12 children’s charities), embedding shared learning, outcome measurement, and inclusive digital practices across Kids, and will create new capacity to work with young people to scope and deploy online campaigning activity.  

Responsibilities

• To lead and coordinate Kids’ online engagement and inclusion work for young people with SEND. This includes Kids’ online information provision; voice/ participation and wellbeing work.
• To develop and deliver Kids’ two-year digital inclusion programme, Online Wellbeing and Resilience Support Programme* to ensure reach and impact is maximised.
• To work with the Digital Services Consortium Driving Digital Inclusion members on shared digital project outcome measures and community of practice, ensuring learnings and online engagement and digital inclusion principles are captured, shared and built into the organisation.
• To identify and recruit (working closely with colleagues from services across Kids) digitally excluded young people to the digital inclusion programme so they can become digitally included and access much needed support and guidance.
• To establish a holistic and joined up approach to Young People’s online engagement and digital inclusion with Kids.
• To create new capacity to work across all services and teams, and with a range of young people, to scope and deploy online campaigning capabilities in line with Kids’ Speak Up and wider national and local influencing work.

Key to your success in the role will be:

• Ensuring an audience-led approach, leading and championing an important collaborative way of working across Kids existing young people's services.
• Confidently working within the Kids digital infrastructure and context – understanding where we are at on our digital journey, building excellent problem-solving relationships with marketing, IT, change team and young people’s services colleagues.
• Helping to embed digital inclusion practices across the organisation.
• Applying strong digital, data and analytical skills to enable you to baseline, track and measure progress.
• Demonstrating excellent attention to detail whilst being flexible to adapt to the needs of a new programme.
• Influencing the broader Kids service teams to identify and engage digitally excluded young people.
• Centering the voices and needs of young people with SEND.

Person Specification

Experience

• Proven experience working in digital engagement initiatives, ideally with young people or vulnerable groups.
• Involvement in programmes that promote digital inclusion and wellbeing.
• Experience in outcome measurement, impact reporting, and using data to inform practice.

Desirable

• Experience in co-producing content or services with young people, including those with SEND.

Skills

• Strong project management skills, with the ability to coordinate multiple workstreams and meet deadlines.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, tailored to diverse audiences including young people, professionals, and stakeholders.
• Skilled in using digital tools and platforms to deliver services and measure engagement.
• Ability to work collaboratively across teams and build strong internal and external relationships.

Knowledge

• Knowledge of safeguarding principles and practices in online environments.
• Awareness of current trends in digital engagement and youth participation.
• Knowledge of inclusive digital design and accessibility standards.
• Understanding of digital inclusion principles and the barriers faced by digitally excluded young people.

Personal Attributes

• Passionate about inclusion, equity, and empowering young people.
• Committed to co-production and user-led design.
• Growth mindset and proactive approach to problem-solving.
• Committed to continuous learning and sharing best practices.
• Flexible and adaptable, with a collaborative mindset.

*About the funded programme

Kids Online Wellbeing and Resilience Support Programme will help young people with SEND (aged 13 – 25 years) build resilience, positive self-regard and meaningful connections.

Our goal is to reduce isolation and protect mental health through a supportive, inclusive digital environment. We’ll begin by consulting directly with young people to understand what they need most. Together, we’ll co-create new online content and resources that truly reflect their voices and experiences. 

 What the Programme Offers: 

• Online information with resources codesigned with young people with SEND. 

• A series of interactive webinars and guided online activities. 

• Free devices and data to improve access to those who need it most, plus the support to ensure everyone can participate.

We will reach over 1,800 young people over the two year funded period.

Partner Acknowledgements

Thanks to National Lottery players, the Digital Services Consortium (DSC) has received over £1.5 million over two years from The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest community funder in the UK. The DSC has also received a grant of £400,000 from BBC Children in Need for two years to provide digital support for disabled or seriously ill children and young people and their family members across the UK. Virgin Media O2 and Vodafone have generously donated devices and data through the Good Things Foundation National Databank and Device Bank which will help address affordability barriers.

This is a critical and exciting leadership role for the Bumblebee Conservation Trust which will take the Trust forward to the next phase of organisational growth, building on the superb achievements to date of our retiring CEO. 

You’ll need passion and energy to work on some of the most profound challenges of our time. Nature needs its champions, and you’ll need to harness all of your skills, all of your personality, and your network to grow our influence, our impact, and our outcomes. You’ll excel at galvanising others to take action  enabling  us to achieve our aims and ensure bumblebees are thriving and valued by everyone.

This is an incredible opportunity to join a very special organisation with passionate and high-performing teams who are truly dedicated to our vital purpose. 

Please refer to the CEO pack for further information.

The Trust is an Equal Opportunities employer.  This means that whilst seeking employment or during such employment with the Trust, we will seek to ensure equality of treatment for all persons regardless of sex, race, age, marital or civil partnership status, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy or maternity status. 

At the Trust, we have a clear goal: to be the place where a diverse mix of talented people want to come, to stay and do their best work. We pride ourselves on reaching for our vision, through the hard work and dedication of our passionate and creative employees. 

You will be joining us at a time that holds the greatest potential for fundraising in our history, following the launch of the UK Government’s Delivery Plan for ME and initial findings of the DecodeME genetics study (co-led by Action for ME) in Summer 2025. 

Building on our charity’s already established level of support from major donors, you will provide exceptional relationship management to existing donors alongside growing our network of high value supporters.

Working closely with the CEO, alongside managing a portfolio of donors and prospects ensuring excellent stewardship, you will support our Breakthrough-ME Group (a group of high net worth and highly networked individuals). There is an established level of support from major donors at Action for ME so this is a role that will require exceptional relationship management to retain our current valued supporters while growing this crucial area of fundraising. 

This would be an ideal role for an experienced philanthropy professional seeking to work for a small but ambitious charity, helping us to achieve our mission to improve the lives of all people affected by ME – better meeting their needs today while taking action to secure change for tomorrow.

Key duties

Major Donor Fundraising

• Successfully develop and implement the philanthropy strategy to secure and maximise funds from high value individuals for Action for ME achieving annual income of £250k+

• Set plans and budgets which will deliver income through major gift fundraising and philanthropic giving through family trusts and foundations, including quarterly forecasting.

• Manage a portfolio of prospects and donors at the £5k to £100k level, to develop and maintain strong and long-standing partnerships

• Work closely with the Director of Fundraising and Development and other colleagues to ensure that plans and activities for fundraising from high value individuals are integrated into the overall fundraising strategy and plan for significant growth.

• Be responsible for our Breakthrough-ME Group with high quality proposition development.  Contribution to Group fundraising activities with a specific focus on ensuring their networks support pipeline growth for future fundraising.

• Lead the delivery of our biennial fundraising gala dinner, maximising income and new opportunities from attendees.

• Develop engaging and inspiring opportunities to steward and cultivate support creating a calendar of activities including events, presentations, approaches, networking and meetings.

• Utilise the CRM database (Raisers Edge) to provide the data required to strategise your approach to philanthropy, monitor progress and provide a high-quality donor experience.

• Ensure utilisation of insight & data, producing management information data to inform planning and strategy development.

• With the Director of Fundraising & Development, create inspiring cases for support and resulting propositions with clear budgets and outcomes.

• Create adequate systems and processes to support the major donor programme.

• Undertake and manage research into prospects and major donors, preparing for approaches and presentations and briefing senior leadership and trustees for donor meetings and events.

• Develop and maintain relationships with donors, a wide range of staff and volunteers from trustee level down.

• Provide regular feedback and internal reporting to line management.

• Work with other fundraisers to ensure that all fundraising opportunities and leads are followed up – particularly in corporate, community and trust fundraising.

• Work with Trustees, the Chief Executive and members of the Leadership Team to develop relationships with major donors.

• Self-administrate including managing your own diary and meetings, keeping accurate and up to date records of activity

• Occasional travel to London, Bristol & events

Other duties

• To positively promote the work and activities of Action for M.E. at all times.

• To contribute to the team’s overall, ongoing and annual planning and budgeting.

• To undertake any other reasonable activity in line with the responsibilities of the post as requested by the Director of Fundraising and Development, Chief Executive or any other senior Action for ME management.

• Act as an advocate for the Charity and its work.

• To work in accordance with Action for ME’s values of collaboration, equity and empathy.

Position title: Communications Manager

Reports to: Director of Operations

Direct reports: None currently

Key stakeholders: UKMSA staff, members and volunteers, Board of Trustees, Sheds and Shedders, the public

Location: Remote (with occasional UK travel)

Salary: Level 4 – £35,000-£45,000

The Communications Manager plays a vital role in shaping how UK Men’s Sheds Association (UKMSA) communicates, both internally and externally, and with the community at its heart. Operating with a high degree of autonomy and professional expertise, the postholder leads the development and delivery of communication strategies that connect, inform, and inspire.

This is not just a messaging role. Rather, it’s about building trust, clarity, and connection across UKMSA communities. Internally, the Communications Manager helps staff feel informed, included, and united across a remote-working environment. The post holder will coordinate internal communications, shape the tone and culture of how information flows, and ensure the brand is consistently and professionally represented.

With volunteers, especially UKMSA’s Ambassadors, the Communications Manager plays a key part in ensuring people feel heard, valued, and kept in the loop, especially during moments of change or challenge. They will work closely with the Head of Volunteering and the wider team to keep the voices and experiences of Shedders, Sheds and Shed Networks at the centre of UKMSA’s communications.

Externally, the postholder curates and amplifies the stories, impact, and energy of the Shedding movement. They manage the website and social media channels, support the CEO and Chair in their digital visibility, and respond to external enquiries with professionalism and purpose.

This is a mission-driven role that sits at the heart of how UKMSA connects with the world. It requires emotional intelligence, editorial judgement, and a deep appreciation for the unique volunteer-led spirit of the movement. The postholder will be confident working across staff, volunteers, trustees, and media, joining the dots, finding the story, and ensuring communications always reflect UKMSA’s values and community.

Key responsibilities:

1. Internal communications

· Develop and deliver internal communication approaches that ensure staff across a remote-working environment are kept informed, connected, and engaged.

· Coordinate and facilitate regular team meetings, updates, and communications, including all-staff briefings, newsletters, and shared messaging.

· Work with the CEO and senior team to plan in-person staff meetings, designing the content, format and approach so the sessions align with staff and organisational requirements.

· Design and implement mechanisms that foster internal cohesion and trust, drawing on ideas and good practice for remote working teams.

· Work closely with the senior team to ensure that important updates - strategic, operational, or cultural - are communicated in a timely, consistent, and accessible way.

· Uphold and promote a consistent tone of voice across all internal messaging, ensuring that staff understand and reflect UKMSA’s values and identity in how they communicate.

· Working with the Operations Officer, support the creation and internal rollout of branded materials and ensure consistency in logo use, templates, formatting, and professional standards across the organisation.

2. Community and organisational communications

· Act as a key link between staff, trustees, volunteers (particularly Ambassadors), and other internal stakeholders to ensure information is shared clearly, consistently, and inclusively.

· Collaborate with the Head of Volunteering to ensure that UKMSA’s volunteers are kept informed and involved, particularly during organisational updates, change, or key moments.

· Help embed a culture of openness and two-way communication, ensuring volunteers and trustees feel heard, recognised, and informed, and that their contributions are visible and valued.

· Coordinate messaging across staff and teams so that different groups across UKMSA receive the right information, in the right way, at the right time.

· Support senior leaders in maintaining effective communication with the Board of Trustees, including updates, briefings, and key documents.

3. External communications

· Manage and maintain the UKMSA website and social media channels, working with our external web designer to ensure content is accurate, up to date, and aligned with the organisation’s values and tone.

· Source, shape, and share stories from Shedders, volunteers, and communities to celebrate and amplify the impact of the Shedding movement.

· Lead on the production of UKMSA’s regular newsletter Shoulder2Shoulder, Review and develop the newsletter on a regular basis, in collaboration with staff and volunteers.

· Collaborate with staff and volunteers to collect and develop case studies and lived experience content and ensure these are shared meaningfully and respectfully.

· Support the Membership Manager and Director of Income and Investments to ensure any promotional activity for external partners is aligned with UKMSA’s communications strategy, delivers clear value, and is proportionate.

· Support Director of Income and Investments to shape and deliver marketing campaigns and communications aimed at generating income and supporter engagement

· Support the CEO and Chair in their digital communications - drafting content, advising on tone and timing, and increasing the visibility of their leadership voices, in the service of UKMSA.

· Respond to media and external communications queries, draft press releases where appropriate, and act as the first point of contact for general communications enquiries.

· Monitor UKMSA’s external presence and ensure consistency in messaging, tone and branding, across platforms and partners.

Key expertise required:

· Professional communications experience, with a strong track record in planning and delivering internal and external communications in a mission-led or purpose-driven organisation.

· Excellent writing and editing skills, with the ability to tailor tone, structure, and content for different audiences: from staff and volunteers to trustees, partners, and the wider public.

· Confidence leading internal communications across a remote or distributed team, including experience developing engaging formats, regular updates, and a shared organisational voice.

· Experience working with or alongside volunteers, trustees, or community stakeholders, and a strong appreciation for the importance of inclusive, two-way communication.

· Brand and tone-of-voice awareness, with the ability to maintain consistency and quality across channels, platforms, and contributors.

· Digital confidence, with experience managing websites (e.g. WordPress), social media channels, and email communications tools (e.g. Mailchimp), and using them strategically to reach different audiences.

· Storytelling and content development skills, with the ability to source, sensitively shape, and amplify stories that reflect lived experience and community impact.

· Strong organisational and planning skills, able to manage multiple priorities, coordinate with colleagues across teams, and deliver work to deadline with attention to detail.

· Collaborative mindset, with the confidence to influence tone, content, and strategy while also being hands-on in delivery and responsive to others’ needs and input.

· Judgement and discretion, with experience handling sensitive information, managing risk in communications, and supporting senior leaders with professional external representation.

· Genuine connection to UKMSA’s mission, with a respectful, values-led approach that centres the role of volunteers and champions the voice of the Shedding movement.

What success looks like:

· Staff feel informed, connected, and part of a shared organisational culture, even while working remotely. Internal updates are timely, engaging, and reflect a consistent tone that supports clarity, trust, and inclusion.

· Volunteers and trustees feel included and valued; they know what’s happening, understand UKMSA’s direction, and feel that communication is a two-way conversation, not a broadcast.

· The organisation’s public-facing communications are professional, values-led, and consistent. Social media, the website, and external content reflect the tone, mission, and energy of the Shedding movement.

· The CEO and Chair have visible, coherent digital profiles, supported with high-quality content and strategic messaging that reflects the voice and values of UKMSA.

· Good news stories from Shedders and communities are regularly shared, boosting the visibility of the movement and building pride and momentum across the network.

· Communications activity is intentional and well-prioritised. There is a clear rhythm to communications, and reactive work is handled without pulling focus from core messaging and strategy.

· The Communications Manager is seen as a trusted and thoughtful voice, able to advise colleagues, manage sensitive messaging, and champion quality and consistency in how UKMSA speaks.

· Volunteers remain central, not just as recipients of messages, but as contributors to and shapers of UKMSA’s communication story.

This job is not:

· This is not a campaigning or advocacy role. The Communications Manager will not be responsible for policy development, public affairs, political engagement, or influencing strategy.

· This is not a research or insight role. While storytelling and community voice are central to this role, the postholder will not be responsible for conducting research, writing reports (although the post-holder will support staff to get their reports right), or managing evaluation processes.

· This is not a marketing or income generation role. Although the postholder will support the visibility and professionalism of UKMSA’s public-facing presence, they will not lead fundraising, product marketing, or commercial campaigns. They will work with the Membership Manager and Director of Income and Investment if this is required.

· This is not a senior strategic leadership role. While the postholder contributes to strategy within their area and works closely with senior colleagues, they are not expected to set or lead cross-organisational strategy.

· This is not a purely reactive or administrative role. The Communications Manager is expected to take initiative, bring ideas, and shape how UKMSA communicates - internally and externally - in proactive and creative ways.

Closing date:-9th October 1200hrs
Interview: 22nd October

UK-based/ Colchester or Home-based with monthly travel to Colchester office. Overseas travel with trips lasting from 10-14 days. 

This post requires the candidates to have independent rights to live and work in the UK

Background

Lepra is dedicated to addressing leprosy and lymphatic filariasis (LF) and their consequences through direct support, advocacy, and the promotion of inclusive communities. We work in Bangladesh and in India, through our sister organisation, LEPRA Society. We work in partnership with people affected by leprosy and LF to improve detection, ensure access to treatment and care, and promote inclusion and wellbeing. Last year we finalised our new Global Strategy for 2024-30, which will guide us in our efforts to accelerate progress towards global targets for leprosy and LF, and towards our vision of a world free from leprosy and LF.

Job Context

Our Global Strategy marks a significant evolution in our organisational direction, introducing innovative approaches and renewed priorities. This includes our first-ever global Theory of Change (ToC), our most comprehensive Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) framework to date, a Research and Innovation strategy, and a dedicated Advocacy sub-strategy to guide our influencing efforts.

With the Lepra Advocacy Strategy, we will be working over the next 6 years to strengthen our approaches to our advocacy efforts. The post holder will play a key role in supporting the roll out of the Advocacy strategy working closely with the Director of Programmes and Advocacy, the Head of Research, the Senior Programme Manager, the Programme Officer and the teams where we work.

Job Purpose

This role is an exciting role within the programmes team in response to evolving needs. The incoming post holder will work within the 5 person UK’s Programme and Advocacy team and will drive, advise and support the team in relation to Lepra’s advocacy profile. We are looking for an enthusiastic, motivated, strategic and creative person who has outstanding skills to engage and work with a diverse team. We are looking for someone to work with a clear strategy and then develop, grow and successfully shape the future of Lepra’s advocacy efforts.

Working Relationships

Reports to Lepra UK’s Director of Programmes and Advocacy (DPA)

Works closely with the Programmes and Advocacy Team

Close working links with colleagues in India and in Bangladesh and the UK’s communications team

International travel as needed for programmes oversight and support, and external representation.

Key responsibilities

Advocacy Delivery (50%)

Under the supervision of the DPA implement Lepra’s global Advocacy strategy and coordinate advocacy initiatives.

Serve as the driver of advocacy efforts, facilitating the transitional year of implementation including coordinating the Advocacy Steering Group; advocacy toolkit development; action planning.

Represent Lepra in specific fora and advocacy networks and within the broader leprosy and NTD community in close coordination with the DPA.

Produce quarterly advocacy newsletters

Maintain quarterly reports on flagging areas of concern and actioning steering committee advice.

Assist in the preparation of policy documents and the presentation of papers for publication, conferences, or specific institutions and/or individuals - identifying and targeting the most appropriate audiences.

Support and contribute to the development and implementation of initiatives that foster an inclusive, equitable, and diverse environment across organisational programmes, policies, and advocacy efforts.

Support and contribute to initiatives that promote inclusion and equity, with a strong focus on developing the leadership and advocacy capacity of people with lived experience of leprosy, ensuring their voices are central in decision-making and programme design.

Knowledge management / Learning and Development (20%)

Support the preparation of Lepra advocacy and policy documents.

Disseminate knowledge so that it is integrated into Lepra’s portfolio to amplify the impact for target audiences and improve their outcomes.

Facilitate the new knowledge and learning hub and forge a clear path for its evolution.

Facilitate knowledge sharing through updating the communications team with relevant materials for the new programme folder on the website.

Organise and develop advocacy training.

Develop and take ownership of the new programme’ s team knowledge sharing approaches.

Develop a workplan of knowledge sharing events. 

Support annual review meetings.

Communications (10%)

Assist the programmes team with the documentation of Lepra examples and models of best practice, at the same time identifying and developing mechanisms and avenues for the effective dissemination of this knowledge – internally and externally.

Assist the programmes team, DPO, Chief Executive and Country Programme staff in the synthesis of complex technical/scientific information adapting it to language and formats easily used by target audiences.

Contribute to content development of community engagement materials (public information, brochures, leaflets) that help explain the operations and impact of Lepra’s work to LF and/or leprosy affected communities.

Maintain good working links with Lepra’s UK Fundraising and Communications Team, contributing towards UK facing communications materials as and when required.

Prepare updates, papers, and reports for trustee meetings, funding partners, and wherever else applicable.

External representation (10%)

Support the Chief Executive, DPA and programmes team to maintain and expand existing strategic relationships with key international stakeholders to further Lepra’s advocacy strategy and advance Lepra’s agenda.

Ensure Lepra’s external profile is raised and become the go-to organisation for the leprosy community in terms of advocacy and policy briefings.

Support the preparation of documents for presentation, publication or dissemination at international fora.

Develop/support the development of country specific briefing notes/press kits with the communications team.

Represent Lepra at key events, conferences, and meetings to enhance our visibility and opportunity for impact.

Safeguarding (5%)

Promote a culture of respect, transparency, and accountability within Lepra’s implemented projects.

Ensuring that safeguarding mechanisms are in place and remain at the heart of all activities.

Support the integration of strong safeguarding and PSEA practices into project design and delivery.

Monitoring, evaluation, and impact (5%)

Ensure that all advocacy and knowledge transfer efforts are captured and embedded in appropriate results frameworks, objectives, outputs, indicators and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). Provide inputs to Lepra’s reports, according to Lepra’s needs.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Relevant degree level of education in Public Health, Social Sciences, Global Health, Human Rights, Political Sciences or equivalent experience.

Desirable

Relevant post-graduate qualification

Relevant professional health-related qualification

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

Minimum of 2 yrs experience of advocacy/campaigning/policy work with an overseas development organisation

Experience of working to advance the rights of excluded populations

Extensive knowledge of global health issues and an up-to-date familiarity with issues and practice in the international development sector

Experience in planning and implementing successful strategies/campaigns/advocacy in Asia.

Experience in programme/project planning, budgeting, M&E and reporting, within a non-governmental organisation, including the preparation of reports for institutional donors.

Ability to analyse and act on data.

Experience of working on issues in relation to disability, mental health, gender, human rights and social inclusion.

Experience in project coordination and management.

Desirable

At least two years’ experience as an advocacy manager, preferably gained with an overseas development organisation or in academia, in a similar health focused role.

Familiarity with data visualisation tools and packages.

Proficiency in one or more Indian languages (e.g., Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, Telugu, etc.) is an asset.

Skills, Attitudes and Personal Qualities

Highly motivated individual with excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal to build strong relationships, negotiate and persuade a wide range of audiences, with confidence at presenting and representing.

Proven strength in both written and verbal communication

Able to reach, network with and communicate to a wide range of stakeholders and potential stakeholders.

Excellent attention to detail, and organisational and time management skills

Ability to manipulate and analyse data to draw useful conclusions to improve programme delivery.

Ability to use databases, Word, excel, PowerPoint and other Office packages

Ability to work independently, be flexible and prioritise workload.

Ability to travel within the UK and overseas.

The right to work in the UK.

We operate a non-bias recruitment process and run our job advertisements through anonymous recruitment methods.

We offer a lot of flexibility in working practices and there is free reserved parking available at our Colchester office. We also offer 26 days annual leave plus public holidays (pro-rated), pension, Employee Assistance Programme and support from an in-house well-being team.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited for interview. Please check your email inbox and spam/junk mail folder for any email correspondence for this vacancy.

If you require any reasonable considerations such as access or information in an alternative format, please inform us soon as you are able so that we can make the appropriate adjustments.

Please do not use AI to help you write cover letters, CVs and responses to any screening questions.  We want to hear your original voice.

WDC’s Games For Waves initiative engages the gaming and streaming communities to raise funds and awareness for whale, dolphin and ocean conservation. The Influencer Lead will help drive this mission by developing strategic digital fundraising events, managing relationships with creators and influencers, and creating impactful content.