Citizens UK
Citizens UK is the UK’s biggest, most diverse and most effective people-powered alliance. We bring communities and local organisations together to work on issues that matter; from campaigning for zebra crossings on dangerous roads, to reforming the immigration system, to the Living Wage campaign. We have a track record of winning change through hundreds of local and national campaigns. We know everyday people have the ability to shape the world around them. We believe that through developing local leaders, we can drive nationwide change and create community-led solutions to big and small problems.
Living Wage Foundation
The Living Wage movement began in 2001, after Citizens UK brought together communities in East London to discuss poverty and low pay. The campaign grew in momentum and soon required a mechanism to recognise employers who wanted to join the movement, which saw the establishment of the Living Wage Foundation in 2011.
Still part of Citizens UK today, the Living Wage Foundation continues to work with community organisations to make sure the voices of both workers and businesses are part of the Living Wage movement. We now work with over 16,000 employers, benefitting half a million people and winning over £3bn of better wages for people who need it most.
Citizens UK works with a broad base of institutions across the political spectrum. At the Living Wage Foundation, we take the same deliberately broad-based approach and accredit all organisations who pay the real Living Wage to their directly and indirectly employed staff and are committed to tackling in work poverty. As a team we work across a range of industries and sectors to achieve this mission. We seek pragmatic coalitions to progress specific campaigns, and partnership around a particular issue such as Living Wage, does not imply an endorsement of broader purpose and policies.
Purpose
The Living Wage Foundation has an exciting opportunity to join our dynamic team as a Communications Officer. We are looking for an exceptionally motivated and organised individual who enjoys working in a fast-paced, high-profile communications environment.
The role will support the objectives of the Living Wage Foundation and Citizens UK by communicating our work to a wide range of audiences, including senior business leaders and politicians, through a mix of communications methods: social media, newsletters, media outlets, website and internal communications channels. The role will be predominantly focused on work and wages activity through the Living Wage Foundation, but there will be opportunities to support cross-Citizens UK communications activity including for example: campaigns on housing, refugees and more.
This post will be joining a Communications team that spans media, digital communications, research and events, with colleagues based across the UK with monthly in-person team meetings.
The post holder will support the delivery of our media and press office activity, including monitoring media coverage, supporting with journalist enquiries, and helping to develop proactive press campaigns to build awareness of the Living Wage Foundation’s work. They will also support the creation of written and visual content across our channels and help monitor and manage our social media presence on a day-to-day basis. The role will work closely to support the Communications team’s work and help communicate the work of the wider-team and our employer network.
The role is also responsible for key communications with our network of over 16,000 accredited Living Wage Employers, including our monthly newsletters, blogs, videos and case studies to celebrate our network of accredited employers
The position would suit an applicant with strong written and communication skills, with some experience of working within a communications team and a passion for press work, social media and content creation.
We don’t expect you to have experience of all areas of this job. Training will be provided to help you develop into this role.
Main Responsibilities
Working as a Communications Officer for the Living Wage Foundation, reporting to the Media Manager, your main responsibilities will include:
Media
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Contribute to media strategies and plans that help to win public, business and political support for the Living Wage Foundation and its work
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Write compelling press releases, blogs and opinion editorials to promote the Living Wage Foundation’s work
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Support story gathering and storytelling development with workers, employers and others affected by low pay and insecure work, ensuring lived experience and employer voices are reflected effectively across media work and wider communications platforms
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Build effective relationships with the media, colleagues and other stakeholders to find new ways to raise our profile
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Monitor and evaluate media campaigns and reports
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Maintain and regularly update communications resources, including press contact lists, internal databases and other media materials
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Participate in the out of hours duty press (being on hand to very occasionally answer emails and phone calls in the evenings or weekends)
Social and digital media
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Oversee our digital communications channels to raise awareness of the Living Wage and our wider accreditation schemes, champion responsible employers and grow our movement.
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Help the team keep up to date with social media trends and opportunities.
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Create, manage and schedule posts for our social media channels including, LinkedIn, Instagram, Bluesky, Facebook and YouTube, tailoring the content to different channels and audiences.
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Monitor our social media channels, replying to enquiries from the public and our networks of supporters and employers and flagging any potential issues to the wider team
Content creation
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Working with the communication team, design and implement engaging digital engagement campaigns for Living Wage Employers and supporters, and to support Living Wage Foundation campaigns.
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Design communications collateral to increase engagement on social media, including creation and editing of short-form videos for our online channels and creation of social media graphics.
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Improve our digital offering for our network of accredited Living Wage, Living Hours and Living Pension Employers, by creating resources and improving our communications support.
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Liaise with the Living Wage and Citizens UK team to keep up-to-date with news to share with key stakeholders
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Collate and summarise content to schedule newsletters and updates for our varied audiences.
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Support in adoption of updated brand across our communications content and materials, supporting others to use brand and tone of voice guidelines.
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Sourcing and creating original content for both the Living Wage Foundation and external websites, including creating blog posts, news, guidance and general pages.
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Auditing and reviewing existing website content to ensure it is effective and up-to-date. Support on improvements and developments where necessary.
Network communications
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Drafting email communications to support the experience of our network of accredited employers, including regular newsletters as well as automated email content for new accreditations.
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Work closely with the Operations and Insight team to put in place the communications infrastructure to help our network of employers engage with us online, e.g. utilising our online dashboard for accredited members and creating new resources.
General
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Administrate and facilitate communications team meetings.
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Communications support for key events and campaign moments including the annual Champion Awards and Living Wage Week
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Monitor communications outputs, analyse performance data and evaluate impact to support learning and improvement across our communications work
Person Specification
(D) Desirable, (E) Essential
Experience
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Experience working within a Communications team or function (E)
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Experience using graphic design software (e.g., Canva, Adobe Creative Suite). (D)
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Experience filming and editing video content (D)
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Experience using website content management systems (CMS) such as Drupal, WordPress or similar (D)
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Experience of using social media scheduling tools (D)
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Experience of supporting press office or media relations work (D)
Key skills and knowledge
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Excellent knowledge of a wide range of social media channels and good awareness of current social media trends and developments (E)
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Strong written and verbal communication skills including the ability to produce clear original content for different audiences and use digital tools (including AI) appropriately and responsibly (E)
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Excellent attention to detail (E)
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Ability to create high-quality and engaging content for social media (whether for a personal or business account) and a good understanding of what makes compelling content (E)
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Strong analytical skills and ability to evaluate the success of a campaign(E)
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Ability to build strong relationships with colleagues and external stakeholders(E)
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Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with a wide variety of stakeholders (E)
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Ability to plan and prioritise workload effectively, manage competing demands, and flag capacity issues early to support effective team planning(E)
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Good IT skills, including experience using Microsoft Office(E)
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Creative thinker and problem solver (E)
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Excellent planning, organisation, and prioritisation skills (E)
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Creative with an eye for design and ability to come up with new ideas for content(E)
Personal qualities & values
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Interest in media and the news landscape (E)
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An interest and enthusiasm for communications and marketing, and the mission of the Living Wage Foundation (E)
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Highly self-motivated with ability to work well independently as well as part of a team (E)
About the application process
We work within diverse communities bringing people together. In line with our Inclusion value, we would love to see applications from LGBTQIA+ people, people from racialised communities, people living with disabilities and people of faith, all to better represent the communities we work in. We want our employees to have the working conditions that allows them to fully participate, be able to be their best authentic selves and thrive doing so, and we have employee networks to support staff. Even if you don’t quite meet all the required criteria still consider applying, as we invest in our employees and support them to develop the skills and knowledge required to deliver their role.
For questions and reasonable adjustments regarding your application including information in a different format, or our recruitment process, please email us
Got any more questions? If you would like further information on the role, the organisation, or our commitment to addressing under-representation and the development and progression of all colleagues, we would be happy to answer any questions.
We will be holding a webinar on Tuesday 10 March 2026 at 12pm which anyone can attend to find out more about the role. In the past, candidates have found this a helpful space for understanding whether the role is right for them. Attendance at this session is optional and will not be taken into account at any stage of the recruitment process. To sign up, please use this link.
If you’d like to know more but cannot attend the webinar, please email us.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Shape public policy. Safeguard professional standards. Lead a profession towards the statutory recognition it deserves.
Not every Chief Executive role involves influencing government, protecting professional standards and occasionally resolving a registrant query before the end of the day.
After seven years, Mike Orlov is retiring as Chief Executive and Registrar of the National Register of Public Service Interpreters. The Board is now seeking a successor who can continue strengthening the organisation and raising the profile and importance of professional interpreters working across public services.
NRPSI is the independent voluntary regulator and national register for public service interpreters in the United Kingdom. It sets professional standards, upholds accountability and provides assurance to public sector organisations, including the Ministry of Justice, the Metropolitan Police and NHS bodies, in settings where interpreters are relied upon in critical situations.
In these environments, clear communication is essential. When it fails, the consequences can affect legal outcomes, safeguarding decisions and, in some situations, lives.
The organisation is entering an important moment in its development. The House of Lords Public Services Committee’s 2025 report on interpreting services in the courts has brought renewed national attention to the role that professional interpreters play across justice, policing and healthcare. At the same time, NRPSI continues to advance the longer-term ambition of statutory regulation and protection of title for Registered Public Service Interpreters.
As Victor Olowe, Chair of NRPSI, puts it: “This is an important moment for NRPSI and for the wider profession, particularly following the House of Lords 2025 report and the government’s commitment to address some of its key recommendations.”
As Chief Executive and Registrar, you’ll engage with senior stakeholders across government and public services while leading a specialist, long-standing team responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Register and the standards that underpin it.
Drawing on your experience, you’ll help shape the organisation’s next stage of development and strengthen the role NRPSI plays in safeguarding the public through professional interpreting standards.
The Role
Stepping into this role, you’ll be accountable to the Board for the governance, strategic direction and operational leadership of the organisation.
This is a hands-on leadership role, working closely with the Chair and Board to shape the organisation’s strategy and priorities, while ensuring the Register continues to operate with credibility, integrity and independence.
You’ll have direct responsibility for the integrity of the Register itself. This includes oversight of registration, renewals, complaints and disciplinary processes, as well as responsibility for ensuring the organisation’s Code of Professional Conduct and regulatory framework remain robust and fit for purpose.
With your experience, moving between strategic and operational ground will come naturally to you. One week you may be engaging with senior civil servants or government departments about the importance of professional interpreting standards. The next you may be reviewing operational processes, supporting your team in the delivery of the Register’s core functions or ensuring the organisation’s financial position remains sustainable.
Your team works mainly remotely and are all long-standing, dedicated and experienced, responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Register. Working in a remote-first environment, continuing a culture of collaboration, accountability and professional development while ensuring the organisation continues to deliver high standards of service is high on the list of priorities.
Externally, you’ll act as the senior voice of NRPSI. What does this mean in reality? Engaging with stakeholders across justice, policing, healthcare and central government, representing the organisation’s perspective clearly and authoritatively. This could include contributing to sector discussions, building relationships with policymakers and making the case for why professional interpreting standards matter to public safety and effective public services, or posting on LinkedIn and social channels, giving updates or hosting town halls for registrants.
The role also sees you supporting the organisation’s longer-term ambition of achieving statutory regulation and protection of title for Registered Public Service Interpreters, a goal that will genuinely benefit from the right leader’s credibility and persistence.
Financial sustainability also sits within your remit. NRPSI is funded through registration fees paid by interpreters, and you’ll oversee the organisation’s finances while ensuring resources are used effectively to deliver its strategic priorities. Alongside this, you’ll maintain oversight of operational systems and processes, identifying opportunities to improve resilience, efficiency and the effective use of digital tools.
The Person
This is a role that calls for someone who has operated at senior or director level within a charity, not-for-profit organisation, professional body, regulatory organisation, membership association or comparable public service environment.
Someone who understands the responsibilities that come with leading an organisation whose work centres on professional standards, governance and public protection, and who brings the credibility, judgement and experience required to engage effectively with a diverse group of stakeholders including government departments, public sector organisations, registrants and sector partners.
A collaborative, trust-based leadership style will be just as important: someone equally comfortable exercising independent judgement as they are balancing strategic thinking with practical delivery in a specialist organisation where both are needed in equal measure.
You’ll bring most of the following:
- Senior leadership experience at director level or above within a charity, professional body, membership organisation, regulatory body or public service environment
- Experience influencing government policy or engaging with commissioners of public spending
- Experience developing or improving regulatory, registration or accreditation processes
- The ability to represent an organisation clearly and confidently in public, including engaging with senior civil servants, sector stakeholders and the media
- Financial literacy and experience overseeing organisational budgets and sustainability
- Experience developing and delivering strategy and operational plans
- Confidence using digital systems, data and communication platforms to support organisational priorities
- Understanding of, or experience in, a registrar or equivalent function within a professional, regulatory or standards body, including accountability for the integrity of registration processes and criteria
Desirable
- Familiarity with public affairs, policy engagement or advocacy work would be advantageous, as would exposure to justice, policing, healthcare or public service environments.
- Experience navigating politically sensitive or contested professional environments, including managing public criticism, would also be beneficial.
- A second language would be welcomed.
- Above all, you’ll share a commitment to the public interest and the role professional interpreting plays in ensuring fair access to justice and public services.
A full candidate pack providing further information about the organisation accompanies this ad.
Key Information
NRPSI is working with Michelle Paoloni, Director at House Recruitment, on this appointment.
To apply, please submit a current CV and a supporting statement of no more than two pages outlining your relevant experience, where you saw the role advertised and what has prompted you to apply.
- Applications close at 5pm on Friday 10 April 2026.
- Discovery conversations with House Recruitment will take place on a rolling basis.
- Final interviews will be held in person in London on Wednesday 29 April 2026.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
NRPSI is committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from individuals from all backgrounds and are committed to ensuring a fair and inclusive recruitment process.
BACKGROUND
Church of England Birmingham (CofEB) is on a journey of growing churches at the heart of every community. Through this we are seeing growth in many exciting ways. Financially we are at a challenging point. We have had an operational deficit for a number of years and this cannot continue. The National Church has agreed to partner with us around this through their Diocesan Investment Programme enabling us to have the time, and resource, to tackle this head on. One key aspect of this is for us to increase our Common Fund returns (the giving from our parishes that supports the costs of our life together). We are taking a radical new approach to our finances which includes intentional reallocation of income to support the costs in our most economically deprived parishes and deeper relationships with each parish around finance through conversation rather than correspondence. Over the next five years we are hoping to be able to move to a financially sustainable platform which will enable us to better serve our communities in the future.
We have recently recruited a new Head of Generosity, who is also Bishops Advisor for Common Fund, to lead on this work and we are now looking to recruit the team to work with them. The focus of the team is to develop long term relationships with all of our parishes leading to:
- Greater support for our parishes.
- Increased generosity by, and within, our parishes.
- Increased Common Fund.
The current plan is to recruit two Giving & Generosity Advisor roles and one Giving & Generosity Support Officer role. Together this team will work with all of our parishes to roll out our financial approach, through in person meetings, and the support that is on offer as part of this.
JOB DESCRIPTION
The primary focus of this role is to work with parishes to:
- Understand their current financial situation and how this links to the wider Church of England Birmingham situation.
- Understand our model and how support is on offer for parishes who are economically deprived.
- Assess with them the support needed to increase generosity and giving at a local level and create an action plan around this that is bespoke and contextual.
- Create a long-term plan for their participation in the common fund.
We have 146 parishes and the Head of Generosity will manage the team so that all parishes can be engaged as quickly as possible. It is the Head of Generosity and two Giving & Generosity Advisors who will be carrying out the in-person meetings with each parish. These roles will work closely with a range of people and teams across Church of England Birmingham so that this work is integrated within our wider strategy and parishes are not confused by multiple disjointed initiatives. This will mean working with Archdeacons and Area Deans, Mission Support Team, Ministry Team, Property Team, Finance Team, Community Regeneration Team and Communications Team as well as others.
Key responsibilities will include:
- Develop strong relationships with parishes that will enable this project to flourish and also help increase the connection between parishes and the DBF. Signposting to other teams and projects will be important.
- Inspiring and encouraging parishes in their Christian approach to giving and generosity
- Creating bespoke multiyear plans for Common Fund with parishes with the support of a Steering Group that includes the Archdeacons and other key stakeholders.
- Provide consultancy, resources, and hands-on support to parishes to grow regular giving, legacies, and other forms of financial support. This work will be able to draw on the resources developed by the national church as well as the data held on their Cornerstone Grants Platform. The post-holder will be expected to engage in the work of the National Giving Team as part of the development of these wider resources.
- Develop and deliver training for clergy, lay leaders and PCCs on the theology and Christian practice of giving and generosity and also practical financial management (in conjunction with the Finance Team).
- Work closely with the Finance Team in matters of technical accounting, governance and financial management identified as needed by parishes.
- Encourage and assist parishes in the implementation of the Parish Giving Scheme, introduction of contactless giving mechanisms and related diocesan resources.
- Source, develop and curate practical resources (digital and print) to support local stewardship campaigns and initiatives.
- Evaluate the impact of stewardship and generosity initiatives and adapt strategies accordingly to achieve the project outcomes.
- Working with our Communications Team, create compelling communication tools that articulate the impact of generosity.
As we are looking to recruit two people into these roles there is flexibility to appoint people with complementary skill sets who may have greater expertise in certain elements of the role.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential Qualifications & Experience:
- Strong understanding of church governance structures and financial operations and requirements.
- Knowledge of generosity principles and Christian financial stewardship.
- A prayerful Christian with a deep commitment to the Church’s mission (Genuine Occupational Requirement).
- Experience of working in a sensitive environment and handling confidential matters with tact and diplomacy.
Essential Skills & Attributes:
- Resilient and adaptable, able to handle challenges and maintain momentum in a demanding role.
- Strong people skills, able to engage effectively with parishes and church communities.
- Good communicator being able to engage a wide range of stakeholders and hold their attention.
- Trustworthy and credible, able to build and maintain confidence with a wide range of stakeholders.
- Empathetic towards parishes and deeply committed to supporting the local church.
- Excellent conflict resolution skills, capable of handling difficult conversations with care and professionalism.
- Highly organised, able to manage multiple priorities and keep track of numerous ongoing responsibilities.
- Capable implementer, ensuring initiatives are successfully delivered, both at a local and diocese wide level.
- Financially literate, with a good understanding of budgets, stewardship, and sustainability within the Church.
- As the role involves visiting parishes across the diocese, including some locations not accessible by public transport, candidates must be able to travel independently. This requires holding a valid driving licence and access to a suitably insured vehicle.
- Be a person of integrity.
Other Considerations:
- The role requires significant evening and weekend work, demanding flexibility and commitment.
- Local presence is essential—the role must be delivered in an incarnational way, engaging directly with communities.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
The post-holder will be employed by the Diocesan Board of Finance for a fixed term ending on 2nd November 2030, subject to funding.
Salary and Pension: Salary of £35,000 plus membership of the Church Worker’s Pension Scheme with 12% employer contribution. We are open to discussion especially if you are ordained and are moving out of parish ministry.
Hours: Full-time 35 hours (5 days) per week. Weekend and evening work will be required, for which the equivalent time may be taken back from standard working hours. We are happy to consider requests for flexible working and candidates seeking part-time hours. Please do mention in your application if you would be interested in looking at alternative working hours.
Holidays: 5 weeks per year plus Bank Holidays and 3 Discretionary Days between Christmas and New Year
Employer: Birmingham Diocesan Board of Finance
Responsible To: Head of Generosity
CLOSING DATE: 12th April 2026
INTERVIEWS: 23rd April 2026 in central Birmingham
For an informal conversation or further information about the role, contact Dawn Baker, Head of Generosity.
The Church of England Birmingham is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community - a place where all can be themselves and bring their unique identity to their ministry and/or work.
We welcome applications from any individuals who feel that they meet the person specification for any post, in particular from those who are currently under-represented in or staff teams such as those from Global Majority Heritage or UK Minority Ethnic backgrounds, those with visible or invisible disabilities and those who identify as LGBTQI+.
We offer a range of inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and other services to our staff teams.
The Church of England Birmingham is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All post holders are expected to share this commitment.