Fundraising and development officer jobs

Regional Communications Manager

We are looking for an experienced, hands-on communications all-rounder with a breadth of skills to lead all regional and local communications activities in the areas where we are developing new Youth Zones.

The breadth of this role means no two days are the same, which is why we are seeking somebody organised, dynamic and self-motivated with exceptional project management and stakeholder management skills.

Working for an equal opportunities employer, we welcome applications from under-represented groups; in particular from Black, Asian, Mixed Race & other ethnically diverse individuals, people with disabilities, and members of LGBTQ+ communities.

Position: Regional Communications Manager

Location: Hybrid working: two days a week in an OnSide office combined with home-working and travel across our Youth Zones Network (including those in development) plus occasional other travel as required.

Salary: £40 - £45k per annum

Hours: Full-time (37.5 hours/week)

Contract: Permanent

Benefits: Agile working with flexibility in working hours; 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (rising to a maximum of 30 days); birthday leave, additional annual leave purchase scheme; company matched pension; company sick, maternity, paternity & adoption pay; Employee Assistance Programme, active and engaged networks to join (including Equity, Diversity & Inclusion) and access to Charity Worker discounts.

Closing Date: 12 noon on Monday 13 July 2026 (We may close this role early if we receive a high volume of applications, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.)

First stage interviews (virtual): Thursday 16 July 2026

Second stage interviews (in-person): Thursday 22 July, Location TBC

About the Role

With 19 Open Youth Zones, supporting 60,000 young people, the organisation is moving into a period of steady growth towards thier long-term goal of 35 Youth Zones by 2035. This role will take sole responsibility for communications activity across live and established projects including Thurrock, Wakefield, Burnley and Wrexham.

This is a key role within the communications team that will see you create understanding and awareness between the charity and the key local and regional audiences that matter to us as. 

This role will involve managing a portfolio of end-to-end integrated communications and PR programmes across multiple Youth Zones at various stages of development. You will work closely with the teams, each Youth Zone’s relationship managers and fundraisers, as well as its CEO, and Trustee Board, and Young People's Development Group, acting as their trusted communications advisor. You will also collaborate with local stakeholders including Local Authority communications leads and supporters, to help establish the new Youth Zones as independent charities.

It is important to note that this role lays the foundations for each new Youth Zones’ ongoing communications approach. For each project you will be required to effectively and smoothly handover to the Youth Zones full time communication resource once in place while continuing to provide light touch ongoing support - so some experience mentoring or coaching and supporting others is beneficial.

About You

We will be looking for someone that can demonstrate a broad range of communications skills from brand development to working with local media to place newsworthy, positive stories around the Youth Zone development, to supporting the development of new Youth Zone websites and the launch of social media channels.

You will have experience of:

• Communications, either in agency or in house 
• All-round integrated communications experience, including PR, copywriting and digital
• Building relationships with journalists and working with the media
• Advising internal and external teams and stakeholders at all levels
• Working directly with young people.
• Using digital platforms and tools such as MailChimp, Hootsuite, WordPress and Google Analytics
• Managing creative/design/digital agencies and briefing design and print teams

If you are as confident pitching a story to media as you are managing a branding project or overseeing an event, then this could be the role for you.

About the Organisation

A national charity that believes all young people should have the opportunity to discover their passion and their purpose that fund and build state-of-the-art, multimillion-pound youth centres called Youth Zones in the country’s most economically disadvantaged areas. The organisation trains the amazing people that run them and offers continuing support to youth zones nationwide through a national network of independent youth charities.

It’s about opportunity.

You may have experience in areas such as Accountant, Business Account, Finance Manager, Director of Finance, Head of Finance, Finance and Systems, Director of Finance and Systems, Finance and Systems Manager, Finance and Systems Lead.

Please note this role is advertised by the recruitment agency acting for the client, Not For Profit People. #INDNFP

Location: Hybrid role working in North East England (primarily home-based with significant regional travel)

Base region: Tees Valley and Tyne & Wear

Coverage: This is a home-based role that requires regular weekly travel to schools and colleges across the North East. You will be expected to work extensively throughout Tees Valley and Tyne & Wear, with specific current activity hubs in Cramlington, Walkergate, Hartlepool, Stanley and Redcar. Regional location throughout the North East will change according to programme demand.

Applicants must hold a full, clean driving licence and have the ability and willingness to travel regularly across the region.

Reporting to: National Programmes Manager

Application Deadline: Wednesday 8th July at 9AM. We encourage early applications as we may close the vacancy sooner if we receive a high volume of applications.

1st Stage Interviews: Week commencing 13th July (online)

2nd Stage Interviews: Wednesday 22nd July (in-person)

About The Girls’ Network:

The Girls' Network is a national charity with a mission to inspire and empower girls from the least advantaged communities by connecting them with a network of professional women role models and volunteer mentors. We believe no girl should have her future limited by her gender, ethnicity, background, or parental income. Our vision is a future where all girls are supported to realise their ambitions, discover their self-worth, and shape their own futures.

We partner with secondary schools and colleges across multiple regions in England, including London, Merseyside, Portsmouth, Southampton, Sussex, Tees Valley, Tyne & Wear and the West Midlands. We match girls aged 14–19 with trained volunteer mentors for one-to-one support. In addition to this core mentoring, workshops, and access to an Ambassador Community that provides continued opportunities for development, career support, and connection.

Role Summary

The Regional Programme Lead is responsible for delivering The Girls’ Network’s suite of programmes in schools and colleges, including facilitating engaging and impactful workshops for girls aged 14–19 from disadvantaged backgrounds. The post-holder also leads on the recruitment, induction, training, matching, supervision and support of volunteers and will appropriately match mentors with young people. You will steer local partnerships and oversee programme administration to ensure the smooth and effective delivery of our mission.

This role combines hands-on programme delivery with operational coordination, ensuring that The Girls’ Network’s regional programmes achieve their intended outcomes and contribute to national KPI achievement.

Person Specification:

Essential:

• Applicants must hold a full, clean driving licence and have the ability and willingness to travel regularly across the region.

• Understanding of equal opportunities and inclusion in youth work. A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, with an understanding of its application in youth work in the charity and/or education sector. We welcome applications from outreach youth workers and/or teachers/teaching assistants or equivalent roles.

• A genuine understanding and passion for addressing the challenges faced by girls and young women from disadvantaged backgrounds.

• Experience and/or willingness to learn delivering high quality workshops or training sessions to groups of young people, aged 14-19.

• Proven ability to build and independently manage multiple relationships with key stakeholders, including young people, volunteers, education providers and local partner organisations.

• Excellent organisational, prioritisation and time-management skills, with a proven ability to meet deadlines in a target-driven environment.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences.

• Experience of developing resources for programmatic delivery, including volunteer training and workshops for young people.

• Project or programme coordination experience, with the ability to manage conflicting priorities effectively.

• Target-oriented, with experience of achieving KPIs and contributing to performance monitoring.

• Practical knowledge and experience of safeguarding and child protection working practices.

• Competence in using digital tools, including Salesforce or other CRM platforms, with attention to accuracy and the ability to maintain high-quality records for monitoring and evaluation purposes.

• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage deadlines, adapt to change, and work effectively both independently and as part of a geographically dispersed team.

• Commitment to The Girls’ Network mission and keeping young people at the centre of all work.

• Ability to travel and work flexibly, including occasional evenings and weekends.

Desirable:

• Experience working in a charity, youth, or education setting.

• Experience of working with young people from diverse backgrounds.

• Experience of safer recruitment in volunteering.

• A mentoring or coaching qualification, or equivalent experience.

• Experience working remotely, demonstrating initiative and the ability to work proactively with minimal supervision.

• Flexible and adaptable approach, with an understanding of the time and resource limitations typical in small organisations.

• Specific knowledge of mentoring programmes and/or youth/education services.

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. If you believe you have relevant experience and the potential to thrive in this role, we encourage you to apply, even if you do not meet every single criterion listed.

How to apply

Please apply as soon as possible. You will be asked to complete your application by submitting your CV and answering a few application questions.

Appointees are subject to a DBS check. You must have the right to work in the UK to apply.

The deadline to submit your application is Wednesday 8th July at 9AM. Please note that we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. We therefore encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible.

Diversity at our core

The Girls' Network is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating discrimination. In line with the Equality Act 2010, if you require any reasonable adjustments to support you with any stage of this recruitment process, please contact the Recruitment Team.

Our Benefits

• 27 holiday days per year, plus public holidays (pro-rata for part-time staff)

• Option to purchase up to 5 additional days of annual leave every year

• Gifted birthday leave

• 3 days volunteering leave per year

• Extended and comprehensive sick pay policy

• Enhanced Family Leave pay policy

• Pension scheme

• Annual professional development fund to help you grow

• 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme for wellbeing support

• Benefit from flexible, remote working options with home office equipment.

• A dedicated Girls’ Network buddy, available beyond the induction period for ongoing support

About us

Carers UK is the leading national charity for unpaid carers. The Finance Manager is responsible for the management of the financial accounting functions of the organisation, for the preparation of statutory accounts, regular management reports, the preparation of all tax returns, supporting budget holders and assisting them fulfil their responsibilities, and for compliance with statutory requirements including compliance with tax laws and regulations.
 

About the role

The Finance Manager will work closely with colleagues across the organisation, including the nation offices, supporting and advising, building excellence in standards within the finance office and injecting innovative solutions to the organisation’s financial strategy.
 

About you

We are looking for a proactive and visible finance professional who is able to engage and build relationships across the organisation as a pivotal member within a values led high performing organisation. You will be a qualified accountant with proven track record of financial management awareness and a solid understanding of charity audits and statutory accounts preparation. You will have the ability to work with staff across the organisation in supporting good financial governance and oversight of financial operational matters. You will have the ability to analyse financial information and present this in a suitable format for the audience. You will have good ability to meet deadlines, be IT literate with an emphasis on financial systems, spreadsheets, Quickbooks and Excel. You will be highly organised with excellent attention to detail and be able to work with minimum supervision.

The role will involve the management of the day-to-day financial activities, VAT, gift aid, payroll and the monthly, quarterly and annual reconciliations and statutory accounts preparation. The job holder will work closely with the Chief Operating Officer, Finance Officer and volunteers within the team. There will be a requirement to work closely with the income generating staff, budget holders, auditors, banks and credit card providers on a regular basis. The Finance Manager will be responsible for managing the Finance Officer and Finance volunteer. 
 

Diversity and inclusion

Carers UK is committed to becoming a diverse and truly inclusive organisation. We strive to create a workplace where our colleagues and volunteers can truly be themselves and feel like they belong and constantly seek to ensure all voices are heard.

To embrace this culture of diversity, our employee and volunteer recruitment should reflect our stakeholders and the society that we serve and support, regardless of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, physical abilities, disabilities or religious practices. We value individual diversity and are actively building diverse teams here at Carers UK and value our colleagues from a wide range of backgrounds.

As a membership charity for carers, we particularly seek employees and volunteers with a real understanding of the issues faced by carers. Reasonable adjustments can be made to the process and role dependent on the needs of the applicant.

At Carers UK, we want our application process to be as accessible as possible. If you need any adjustments to apply please email the recruitment team to discuss.

The closing date for applications is Friday 24 July 2026, 5pm.

Carers UK anonymises all applications prior to shortlisting.

Carers UK are actively interviewing as we receive applications. 

Carers UK reserves the right to appoint at any stage, should an outstanding candidate emerge.

Carers UK may carry out online and social media checks before a formal offer is made.