Communications manager jobs in Leeds

Introduction

the3million is the largest grassroots organisation for EU citizens* in the UK, formed after the 2016 referendum to protect the rights of people who have made the UK their home. 

Our work ranges from organising EU citizens’ communities and informing people about their rights, to holding the Government to account on the implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement and advocating for social justice.

We are looking for an experienced, values-driven and thoughtful Communications Manager to help shape and strengthen the3million’s public voice. The role focuses on sharing our work as widely and effectively as possible, through social media, supporter communications and news media. You will act as a spokesperson for the3million, write and develop communications materials, and help grow our supporters and donors base through lived-experience focused communications.

The ideal candidate is a passionate communicator, motivated by social justice and passionate about amplifying the voices of EU citizens and other migrant communities. You are as comfortable shaping strategy as you are delivering high-quality content, and you are committed to challenging injustice and influencing decision-makers.

Key responsibilities

1. Communications strategy & leadership 

• Lead the development, delivery and evaluation of the communications strategy of the3million, working closely with the3million’s CEO, Head of Policy and Advocacy and Organising team to deliver timely strategic communications support
• Growing and safeguarding the3million’s brand identity, integrity and strategic positioning across all our external channels, networks and audiences
• Develop new initiatives to expand and improve the reach and engagement of the3million’s communications
• Regularly reviewing the effectiveness of campaigns and responding to opportunities that arise
• Use analytics tools to evaluate performance and inform strategic decisions
• Support the3million’s sustainability through effective fundraising messages and campaigns
• Maintain positive and productive relationships with partner organisations, working on shared campaigns and promoting strategic collaborations, opportunities for engagement and projects

2. Content and digital communications 

• Build the3million’s public messages, using the most effective frames to communicate complex issues clearly to targeted audiences, with lived experience underpinning these messages
• Take overall responsibility for developing the3million’s website content, creating written and visual content
• Oversee and manage the3million’s online presence, engaging with relevant online platforms
• Produce regular newsletters, with clear and effective calls to action 
• Develop effective fundraising content to disseminate to supporters 
• Manage the3million’s social media channels, leading on creating engaging social media content (written and visual), developing and expanding the3million’s social media presence using relevant up to date digital tools 
• Support EU citizens in having their stories heard, sourcing and writing compelling stories, ensuring safeguarding and consent policies are followed

3. Media relations 

• Monitor media outlets for issues related to our campaigns, respond to developments in an appropriate and timely fashion
• Write and disseminate press releases, opinion pieces and articles
• Manage press enquiries, liaising with journalists and other media contacts
• Proactively pitch, develop and maintain relationships with relevant media stakeholders, developing our contacts list
• Support people with lived experience in working with journalists to have their stories heard
• Develop key messaging and briefings for staff and spokespeople to ensure consistency across communications, as needed
• Lead on crisis communications and rapid response messaging in reaction to political or media developments 

4. Campaign communications & messaging 

• Work closely with the policy and advocacy team to translate complex issues into compelling narratives 
• Work with the Community Organising team to ensure lived-experience led storytelling is embedded in the community organising strategy
• Support with the development of published materials (in print and online) such as leaflets and reports. Lead on the visual design of published materials
• Support people with lived experience (including community leaders) to be effective spokespeople for the3million, delivering relevant communications training and support their leadership development (working closely with the Organising team)

5. General: 

• Maintain relationships with relevant funders of the3million’s communications activities, providing regular reports and updates 
• Represent the views of the3million at events, conferences and in the media
• Provide assistance in other areas of the3million’s work as and when deemed necessary by the CEO

Person specifications

Knowledge and experience: 

• Demonstrable experience (minimum 2 years) in managing communications for a charity or an NGO in the UK
• Strong understanding of the UK media landscape, including experience securing media coverage and managing press relationships 
• Experience managing digital communications channels (website, email, social media) and growing engagement 
• Experience supporting or working alongside people with lived experience in communications, storytelling or campaigns 
• Experience using data and analytics to evaluate communications performance and inform strategy

Skills:

• Excellent writing, editing and storytelling skills, with the ability to adapt tone for different audiences and channels 
• Ability to identify and quickly respond to external opportunities and risks, including fast-moving political or media developments 
• Strong media relation skills, including pitching stories and handling press enquiries 
• Digital communications skills, including social media management, email campaigns (eg using Mailchimp or Action Network) and website content management 
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
• Ability to develop clear, compelling messaging and narratives grounded in lived experience
• Confidence in supporting and briefing spokespeople, including people with lived experience
• Good design and visual content skills (including using Canva for content production)

Personal attributes:

• Passionate about EU citizens’ rights and committed to supporting and advancing the rights of all migrants, irrespective of nationality, immigration status, or other matters
• Strong understanding of power, inequity and intersectionality
• Ability to work independently, managing competing priorities and thrive in a fast-paced environment
• A positive, proactive and solutions-oriented attitude, able to take initiative
• Willingness to occasionally travel across the UK

Desirable: 

• Experience with campaigning or political communications 
• Knowledge and experience in fundraising communications (donor messaging, appeals)
• Knowledge of migrants rights or the EU Settlement Scheme
• Experience delivering media or communications training 

Before you apply

One of the3million’s core values is equity - we are people led, we value diversity and are enriched by differences. We strive to listen to, engage with and represent the broadest range of people. 

We recognise our team is not currently representative of communities that experience racism and that our own ways of working may replicate wider societal oppression and injustices. We are actively working towards becoming an anti-oppressive organisation, including taking steps to create a more inclusive recruitment process.

You may not have worked in an organisation whose focus is campaigning for migrants’ rights. Or you may have experience in a grassroots setting which is not formalised. Please still consider applying as many other settings offer transferable skills.

If you are from a background that is underrepresented in the migration sector - for example you are from a community that experiences racism, or you have lived experience of migration, or you are a disabled person, or you did not go to University or had free school meals as a child - we strongly encourage you to apply.

We believe our work will be stronger with greater diversity. the3million welcomes the whole person to work, and we understand that each of us brings our experiences, our backgrounds and our own unique lens to what we do.

About applying 

Apply by submitting an up to date CV and cover letter through CharityJobs, detailing your motivations for applying for this post and how your skills, knowledge and experience fit the person specifications of the role. Please note we will not be reviewing applications which do not include a detailed cover letter.

Working conditions 

Position: Full time 
Duration: one year contract, with possibility of extension, subject to funding 
Salary: £35,000
Location: Remote, UK. Home working. Occasional travel required - within the UK (all travel expenses covered)
Benefits: 28 days holiday + bank holidays, contributory pension scheme, flexible working patterns.
Reporting to: CEO

Closing date: 21st April 2026. Please note we are reviewing applications on an ongoing basis and this vacancy may be closed early if we find a suitable candidate.

Hybrid/within commuting distance of one of our campuses

We are excited to offer a temporary opportunity for two experienced communications professionals to join us at an exciting time of growth and impact. With a strong marketing and communications background, you will help shape the voice and brand of the National Institute of Teaching.

About us

The National Institute of Teaching (NIoT) has an unswerving commitment to high-quality, evidence-informed teacher education, and is on a mission to improve the quality of teacher and leader development across the system.

At the NIoT, we believe teaching is a fundamental societal good, a privilege and a responsibility, and this role helps ensure our programmes are delivered smoothly and professionally, so that trainees, mentors and partner schools receive a consistently excellent experience.

About the role

We are seeking two Communications Managers, to work closely with the Head of PR and Communications and help shape the voice and brand of the National Institute of Teaching. Your work will support the organisation in articulating its value to the education sector and strengthening its reputation by engaging key stakeholders. 

With a strong marketing and communications background, you will be confident adapting your approach to suit a wide range of audiences, from frontline teachers to government policymakers. As a strategic thinker, you will bring excellent project management skills and take responsibility for leading key communications campaigns and event plans. 

A key aspect of the role is overseeing our core communication channels, including the website, social media and email communications. Your attention to detail will ensure all content is of the highest quality and aligned with our brand and tone of voice. 

These roles offer significant scope to make an impact and bring forward new ideas. If this opportunity aligns with your skills and experience, we would be delighted to hear from you. 

These are hybrid roles, and it is anticipated that the postholders will work on campus one day per fortnight. We offer flexible working and would consider part-time hours for the right candidates. 

Key benefits

• Generous Annual Leave – 27 days’ holiday a year (plus 8 bank holidays) rising to 33 days after five years’ service.
• Flexible Working – we offer flexible start and end working times, with hybrid working in place for all roles.
• Pension - Entry to the Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Salary Sacrifice Schemes – we offer salary sacrifice schemes for bikes, cars and tech!
• Lifestyle Benefits – We offer discounts on gyms, cinema, retail and much more!
• Parenthood Leave – We offer above the statutory minimum for maternity, adoption and paternity leave.
• Working Environment – We have a stimulating, supportive and rewarding working environment with a dedicated team of likeminded professionals.
• Support: Our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) provides confidential support for employees on personal or work-related matters.
• Development: We fully support the development of our staff and ensure that you have a high level of continuous professional development.

We think a wide range of different work and educational experiences could support you to be successful in this role. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities and industries, and are committed to employing a team that has diverse skills, experiences and abilities.

If you have any queries about this role, please email our recruitment team.

For more information and to apply, please visit our vacancies page.

Closing date: 4.00pm on Friday, 3 April 2026.

We reserve the right to close the advertisement early should we receive a high volume of suitable applications. We therefore encourage you to apply at your earliest convenience to avoid disappointment.

This post requires a satisfactory enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) with a Children’s Barred List Check and Occupational Health Check is required as a condition of employment.

Charity People is delighted to be partnering with the Social Research Association to recruit a permanent Communications Manager.

An educational charity and membership body, the Social Research Association aims to drive excellence in the conduct, development and application of social research to deliver lasting benefits to the social research profession and the wider public good. With around 1600 members who work in government, academic, the voluntary and private sector or as freelancers, the organisation's key activities include training, events, ethics reviews and regular publications.

You'll be joining the small, supportive team at an exciting time following a period of investment in its membership offering and in the lead up to its 50th anniversary in 2028.

Contract: Permanent role, offered on either a full time or part time, four day per week basis, with flexible working options offered and fully supported
Salary: £38,000 to £43,000 per annum
Location: Home based role with occasional travel required for events or Team Days, anticipated at around 10 days per year with travel reimbursed
Closing date for applications: 9am on Thursday 2nd April
Interviews: Interviews will be held on Friday 24th April

The incoming Communications Manager will have real ownership of the communications output for the organisation as well as strategic influence, while retaining day to day responsibility for the delivery of messaging.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone who has been leading communications projects or channels and is now ready to lead strategy - someone who wants more autonomy, broader responsibility, and the chance to shape the voice of a respected membership organisation.

Core responsibilities within the role will include:

• Deliver and evolve the SRA's communications strategy across all platforms increasing the visibility of the SRA and engagement the wider social research community
• Advise senior leadership and trustees on messaging, brand positioning, and audience engagement
• Shape how the organisation communicates with members, stakeholders, and the wider research community
• Monitor and evaluate communications impact using analytics and insights
• Produce and manage engaging content for newsletters, blogs, social media, email campaigns, the website, the membership hub, press releases, and promotional campaigns
• Lead communications around SRA publications to raise profile and reach
• Oversee editorial calendars and ensure timely, high-quality delivery
• Keep up to date with digital and social media trends and platform developments
• Create and maintain effective systems and workflows for communications outputs
• Support clear, inclusive internal communications for staff, trustees, and volunteers
• Develop materials for impact reporting and organisational updates
• Build positive relationships with partner organisations, research funders, editors, freelancers, and other stakeholders

This position is perfect for someone ready to take a step up to take on more strategic responsibility, or someone already working at Manager level.
You'll thrive at the Social Research Association if you enjoy combining hands-on delivery with bigger-picture thinking, and if you're excited by the idea of shaping an organisation's communications approach.

Key experience and skills required for the role are as follows:

• Experience in communications, journalism, media, or a related field
• Strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills
• Experience managing communications projects or channels, especially LinkedIn content
• Ability to tailor messaging for different audiences and platforms
• Strong organisational skills and confidence managing multiple deadlines
• Analytical mindset, with the ability to interpret engagement data and adapt strategy
• Creative, proactive, and eager to grow into a more strategic role
• Commitment to equity, accessibility, and inclusive practice

If you're interested in hearing more about this opportunity, please send your CV to Alice at Charity People in the first instance. Alice can be reached by using 'apply now' button on the advert.

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.