Strategic communications manager jobs in Manchester

At Bipolar UK, our mission is simple yet life‑changing: to empower everyone affected by bipolar to live well and thrive.
We work to reduce stigma, improve understanding, and ensure no one faces the condition alone. Our vision is a world where every person affected by bipolar has access to the right treatment and support, an understanding community, and the tools to live well.

About Bipolar UK

We are the only national charity dedicated to supporting people affected by bipolar. Through our peer support line, peer support groups, eCommunity, digital tools, workplace training, research collaborations and awareness‑raising campaigns, we reach tens of thousands of people each year.

Our work improves understanding, reduces isolation and empowers people to stay well. We are a small, ambitious, and fast‑growing team driven by purpose, compassion and innovation. Our culture is collaborative, supportive and rooted in lived experience.

Job Summary

The Senior Partnership Officer will play a pivotal role in building, strengthening and diversifying Bipolar UK’s high‑value relationships, with a particular emphasis on corporate fundraising and identifying strategic, mutually beneficial collaborations that support the charity’s long‑term needs.

Working closely with the Strategic Partnership Manager, you will manage and grow our portfolio of major donors, corporate supporters, and strategic partners. You will provide exceptional stewardship, ensuring partners feel valued, engaged, and inspired to deepen their relationship with us.

A key part of the role will involve proactively identifying and cultivating new corporate prospects, developing compelling propositions, crafting funding proposals, and pitching confidently to decision‑makers at all levels. You will help implement robust cultivation plans and ensure effective monitoring and evaluation across all partnership activity.

You will also work collaboratively across the wider Fundraising Team - including with the Fundraising Officer - supporting campaigns, events, and individual giving where needed.

This is a home‑based position with travel required for meetings and events across the UK. Some evening or weekend work may be required.

Key Responsibilities

1. Growing Corporate and Strategic Partnerships

• Drive the growth of corporate fundraising through proactive identification, research and cultivation of new corporate prospects.
• Develop innovative, mutually beneficial partnership opportunities, including Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Charity of the Year, sponsorships, staff fundraising, corporate challenge events, payroll giving and cause‑related marketing.
• Create compelling propositions tailored to corporate audiences.
• Lead and support pitches to secure long‑term, strategic and income‑generating partnerships.
• Collaborate with internal teams (e.g. Services, Communications) to co‑design new partnership concepts, projects or services that align with charity priorities.
• Support the development of partnership agreements and ensure expectations, deliverables and benefits are clearly defined.
• Work to a mutually agreed financial target and use the CRM to track and record relevant data to grow our donor pipeline.

2. Strengthening High‑Value Donor & Partner Stewardship

• Deliver excellent relationship management to major donors, corporate partners and strategic allies.
• Provide regular updates on impact and organisational achievements to deepen engagement.
• Organise meetings, briefings, events and engagement opportunities to showcase our work.
• Maintain accurate and comprehensive records of all interactions on Salesforce.
• Create tailored materials, proposals and events to support ongoing partnership activity.
• Represent Bipolar UK through presentations at corporate and partner events.
• Track performance and impact of partnerships, supporting continuous improvement.

3. Supporting Wider Fundraising

• Work collaboratively with the Fundraising Officer, SPM and wider team to maximise fundraising opportunities across all income streams.
• Provide hands‑on support for individual giving campaigns, events and community fundraising when needed.
• Contribute to team planning, cross‑team projects, and organisational initiatives.

Strengths

You will thrive in this role if:

• You are an exceptional relationship‑builder with the confidence to engage senior stakeholders and corporate leaders.
• You bring creativity, energy and ambition to developing powerful partnership ideas.
• You are an excellent communicator - skilled in writing compelling copy and delivering persuasive pitches.
• You are a proficient user of professional social media platforms such as LinkedIn to support your work.
• You are an engaging public speaker, confident at events, in meetings and online.
• You are methodical, analytical and data‑driven, with strong record‑keeping and reporting discipline.
• You are adaptable, organised and calm under pressure - thriving in a small, fast‑paced organisation.
• You enjoy autonomy, value professional development, and proactively shape your own work.
• You are reliable, detail‑focused, deadline‑driven and comfortable working remotely with minimal supervision.
• You have a keen understanding of the charitable sector in the UK.

Skills and Experience

Essential:

• Minimum 2 years’ experience in major donor fundraising, corporate fundraising or partnership development.
• Proven track record of generating new business at 5 and 6 figure levels - from prospecting through to securing partnerships.
• Experience working to, and achieving, income targets.
• Strong understanding of the corporate sector, CSR and corporate fundraising mechanisms.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience delivering pitches and proposals.
• Excellent project and time‑management skills.
• Understanding of ethical fundraising and GDPR compliance.
• Experience using Salesforce or a similar CRM.
• Confident user of Microsoft Office and quick to adopt new technologies.

Desirable:

• Experience within a mental health or health‑related charity.
• Understanding of bipolar gained through lived experience or supporting a friend or family member.

Other Information

The main tasks may be amended from time to time to reflect evolving organisational needs. Changes will be made in consultation with the post holder.

The post holder must comply with Data Protection, Health & Safety, and Equality & Diversity legislation, and follow all organisational policies and best practice.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your application by 5pm 20th February  through Charity Job including your CV and a covering letter. If we receive a high volume of applications we may close applications early.

Your covering letter (max two A4 pages) should outline:

• how your experience matches the person specification
• what you would bring to the role
• why you want to work for Bipolar UK

Interviews will be held w/c 2nd March, either online or in person.

Please note the final appointment is subject to satisfactory references and an enhanced DBS check.

Good luck and thank you for your interest in supporting Bipolar UK’s vital work.

Smart Works is a dynamic, high profile and fast-growing UK charity that dresses and coaches unemployed women for success at their job interview. We empower each woman by giving her the clothes and the confidence she needs to succeed.

After visiting Smart Works, 68% of clients secure a job, gaining financial independence and transforming their lives.

The Smart Works service is delivered in London, Greater Manchester, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Newcastle, Reading, Bristol and Leeds. Over the past ten years, Smart Works has helped over 50,000 women, and last year alone we reached 10,600 women. It is our mission that any woman who needs our service should be able to find her way to a Smart Works centre.

In 2025 we launched our new 5 year strategy- we are aiming to build a future where every woman, at any stage of her career, can access trusted, personalised support to secure employment. We aspire to be local in feel, national in reach, shaped by the voices of women, valuing every story and every success.

More information about who we are can be found on our Smart Works website.

About the Role

The Partnerships & Philanthropy Manager will lead all fundraising activity, including stakeholder partnerships and grant/trust income, overseeing a six figure annual income portfolio. They will work with the Head of Smart Works Greater Manchester, the Events & Comms Lead, and the Board of Trustees to deliver the fundraising strategy, activity plan, manage the budget, and support the organisation’s long term sustainability.

Therefore, we are looking for an energetic, creative and forward thinking individual to join our dynamic team and help secure the long term future of Smart Works Greater Manchester (SWGM). The role requires a self starting and proactive approach, excellent communication and networking skills, strong organisational abilities, experience in generating income, and a strong commitment to stewarding relationships with donors, partners and supporters.

The role will be based at our Smart Works centre in Manchester city. As part of the wider SWGM team, working as one team alongside our Stockport centre, where occasional flexibility to work from will be required, the successful candidate will take part in key Smart Works Greater Manchester events and networking activity, which will include some evening and weekend work.

Smart Works Greater Manchester is part of Smart Works Charity, with centres across the UK. As part of this network, the role will work alongside peers from across the charity through established peer working groups.

We are a community that shares a passion to empower women to thrive in work and life, determined to meet our aim of helping as many women as we can back into work. If you’re passionate about supporting women, then this is an ideal opportunity for you.

How to Apply

Please head to our website to view the full job description and to apply via our recruitment system. Applications close at Midnight on Sunday 8th February. 

Smart Works is committed to best practice employment practices, including reducing the burden for those seeking work. Smart Works will therefore reimburse reasonable costs of travel to interviews if required.

By providing finance and support, at SIB we enable charities and social enterprises to exist, grow and thrive. We have disbursed £0.8bn to thousands of organisations since 2002. Our team believes in the power of the social economy, champions the charities and social enterprises we support - and we are all working together to build stronger communities and a fairer society. 

It is a hugely exciting time to join the organisation. We are growing, investing in our expert team, and building on the successes of the last few years. 

Find out more about our values and what we do by visiting our website.

Our values are: People First, Curious, Bold, Collaborative, Accountable

About this role:

Reporting to the Head of Policy and Communications, the Policy and Communications Coordinator will support SIB’s track record of sector, government and media engagement, notably the high standard of publication set through its media partnerships with Tortoise and the Financial Times, its contributions to the policy landscape in the social sector, and its in-house data analysis and insight generation. This new post will contribute to SIB’s ongoing communications and public policy work and its reach and influence, building on a growing base of expertise across SIB’s three strategic priority areas: Green Transition, Infrastructure and Services.

Key responsibilities

1. Support the Head of Policy and Communications to deliver the Policy and Communications strategy for SIB.

2. Making use of media and parliamentary tracking software keep abreast of SIB’s strategic policy areas, sharing accessible updates and digests of relevant legislation and central and local government programming and media coverage.

3. Attend / watch online relevant parliamentary committees, All Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs) and Commons and Lords sessions, capturing relevant outcomes and identifying MPs and Lords that SIB should seek to work with / influence.

4. Support the Head of Policy and Communications to identify a key parliamentary contacts list. Create tailored communications for these key contacts which share relevant statistics and case studies from SIB’s portfolio, alongside policy influencing lines. This will include drafting questions and briefings where relevant, and ensuring that regular contact is maintained. 

5. Support the drafting of consultation responses and press releases using SIB’s core messaging, reporting, research and data.

6. Support SIB’s annual party conference attendance with coordination and administration in advance and in person.

7. Support the Head of Policy and Communications with attendance at influencing meetings and webinars with, for example, the Association of Decentralised Energy, Community Energy England, Locality, Better Society Capital, the Access Foundation and others.

8. Draft internal and external copy for newsletters and the SIB intranet and website.

9. Monitor the press email address and support correspondence with journalists on reactive and proactive stories.

10. Attend and provide oversight to the Social Investment Forum, as part of SIB’s secretariat and hosting.

11. Write, edit and produce engaging and relevant content at pace for web, social media and e-newsletters, as well as earned and paid channels.

12. Management of external suppliers of communications and policy activities, including agencies, designers, consultants and think tanks.

13. Work with the Marketing Manager, Marketing and Events Coordinator, Business Development Manager and wider team to deliver successful external events with customers, stakeholders and partners including attendance at Party Conferences.

14. Work in line with the organisation's values, principles and processes to achieve operational excellence.

15. Adopt our continuous improvement and learning ethos

16. Support and embed equality, diversity and inclusion into day-to-day behaviours and activities within your role as well as contributing more widely across SIB’s commitment to E, D & I

17. Support and contribute to the implementation and delivery of SIB’s strategy

18. In agreement with manager to undertake other tasks and work on cross team projects that support the objectives of SIB as required

Core competencies

• Previous experience of working in a public policy, PR, marketing, external affairs or communications role
• Excellent writing skills
• Good research skills, with an ability to absorb large amounts of information at pace, including in unfamiliar policy areas and produce cogent syntheses
• Strong collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively teams across functions in an integrated way
• Good established networks through experience in a similar role, and a commitment to expanding those networks to support SIB’s strategic aims
• Experience of building effective media partnerships
• Good working knowledge of data-driven storytelling in a variety of outlets from organisation websites to mainstream media and confidence in interpreting data and understanding the key points to be drawn from it to gain traction in media and campaigning environments
• Experience of developing and delivering effective communications campaigns, including through a range of digital channels
• Strong planning skills and an ability to multi-task, work well under pressure and meet deadlines
• Strong understanding of UK political context, especially as it concerns the social economy, and parliamentary process
• An understanding of how to promote research, policy papers, data analysis and other activities of a think tank and consultancy
• Excellent IT skills and the ability to learn new programmes quickly

Desirable competencies

• Data visualisation skills
• Data storytelling
• A good aesthetic eye and ability to shape images, visuals and formatting, and to liaise confidently with designers
• Understanding of the UK charity and social enterprise sectors

Education / Professional experience

• Experience in policy, research and media
• Experience of collaborative working across teams
• In-depth digital communications expertise

Our Time Charity is seeking an experienced Development Manager to help grow and embed our early help and family mental health services across the UK.

This is a senior, outward-facing role focused on securing statutory income, developing high-quality tenders, and building strong relationships with local authorities, Family Hubs and strategic partners. A key priority will be positioning KidsTime Workshops as a recognised, commissioned early help offer within local authority family support systems.

Working closely with the CEO, you will identify high-impact opportunities, navigate commissioning processes, and help ensure more children affected by parental mental illness receive timely, preventative support.

This role is ideal for someone with experience in local authority commissioning, business development or statutory income generation, who understands early intervention and wants to use their skills to create lasting social impact.

To learn more about the role, responsibilities and how to apply, please download the full recruitment pack.

About African Rainbow Family

African Rainbow Family (ARF) is a UK-based, lived-experience-led grassroots organisation working with and for LGBTIQ+ refugees and people seeking asylum of African heritage and the Global Majority.

ARF was founded in 2014 in response to the criminalisation and persecution of LGBTIQ+ people across parts of Africa and the Commonwealth. The organisation provides advocacy, peer support, advice, training and counselling, while campaigning locally, nationally and internationally to challenge injustice and promote equality and human rights.

ARF operates from its head office in Manchester and has centres in Leeds, Birmingham, London and Swansea.

About the Role

The Operations Manager role is a new and senior position within African Rainbow Family and will play a key role in supporting the organisation’s strategic and operational development.

The postholder will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day running of the organisation, managing staff and volunteers, ensuring effective service delivery and leading on income generation and funding applications.

The role works closely with the Chief Executive Officer, Trustees, staff, volunteers and external stakeholders to ensure ARF operates effectively, sustainably and in line with its values and objectives.

Key Responsibilities

The postholder will be responsible for:

• Managing the day-to-day operations of African Rainbow Family, ensuring efficient and effective organisational delivery

• Line managing staff and volunteers, including recruitment, induction, supervision and performance management

• Overseeing service delivery across all ARF centres to ensure consistency, quality and compliance with funder requirements

• Managing organisational budgets and monitoring expenditure against agreed targets

• Leading on income generation, including researching funding opportunities and writing grant and funding applications

• Developing, reviewing and implementing organisational policies, procedures and systems

• Ensuring compliance with governance, safeguarding, health and safety and regulatory requirements

• Building and maintaining relationships with funders, partners, commissioners and key stakeholders

• Supporting strategic planning and reporting to the CEO and Board of Trustees

Person Specification

Essential

• Minimum of two years’ experience in an operations, project or organisational management role

• Proven experience of managing staff and volunteers

• Experience of managing budgets and financial reporting

• Demonstrable experience of researching and writing successful grant or funding applications

• Knowledge of charity governance, compliance and operational processes

• Strong organisational, communication and leadership skills

• Ability to work independently and manage competing priorities

Desirable

• Experience working within the charity or voluntary sector

• Experience working with LGBTIQ+ refugees or people seeking asylum

• Knowledge of asylum, immigration or human rights policy

• Experience using databases or CRM systems (e.g. Salesforce)

• Experience in advocacy, campaigning or media work

Benefits

• 28 days annual leave including Bank Holidays

• NEST pension scheme

• Flexible working arrangements

• Birthday leave and two wellbeing (duvet) days per year

• Cost-of-living support

• Paid sick leave after six months’ service

• Training, development and progression opportunities

• Salary review and employee reward scheme

• Free on-site parking

• Accredited Living Wage Employer

Equality, Diversity and Safeguarding

African Rainbow Family is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from people with lived experience of the asylum system, LGBTIQ+ people and individuals from Black and Global Majority backgrounds.

This role is subject to a Genuine Occupational Requirement and is therefore open only to applicants who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex.

The post is subject to an enhanced DBS check. ARF is committed to safeguarding and to providing reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.

Grade: NJC Point 31 - £41,771 per annum
Hours: 37.5 hrs per week (excluding breaks)
Days: To be worked over 5 days (core hours are worked between 8am and 6pm Monday to Friday)
Contract: 12 months Fixed Term contract (with option to extend), subject to funding and the successful completion of a 6-month probationary period
Responsible to: Director of Delivery
Place of work: Salford CVS’ offices in Eccles, Salford, M30 0FN

We are seeking to recruit to a brand-new post and are looking for an experienced and passionate full‑time Programme Manager (Live Well) to lead the delivery of our VCSE‑led Live Well infrastructure in Salford. 

In this role, you will support organisations across Salford to develop high‑quality Live Well Centres and Spaces, ensuring strong partnerships are built and delivery partners are managed in a clear, transparent and collaborative way. A key part of the role will be ensuring that all delivery aligns with the expectations set out in the GM Live Well Hallmarks. You will also be responsible for ensuring the programme’s impact is clearly demonstrated through robust monitoring, high‑quality data collection and meaningful insight.

Greater Manchester Live Well is a broad cross‑system partnership with particularly strong involvement from GMCA, NHS Greater Manchester and the VCSE sector. 

Launched in 2021, it is a core Mayoral commitment and embedded in the Greater Manchester Strategy (2025–2035). The vision is that by 2030, residents will benefit from a connected, preventative and equitable system of support, delivered through:

• A network of integrated Live Well centres and spaces in every locality
• A universal “no wrong door” approach
• Recognition that the VCSE sector has a key role to play (with dedicated VCSE funding)
• Consistent and connected support offers
• A neighbourhood‑based Social Model of Health
• A preventative system built on trust, early help and coordinated support

Salford CVS is the lead VCSE sector partner and accountable body for the Live Well implementation fund in Salford, working with public sector partners to strengthen community wellbeing and ensure accessible, high‑quality support for our city’s residents.

As Programme Manager, you will lead a VCSE‑driven programme that is transforming how residents access help and support in Salford. You will maintain a clear overview of programme developments, partners and activities, acting as a key source of knowledge for Live Well locally. You will share information proactively, strengthen connections across the system and bring partners together to maximise the programme’s impact. 

Your work will also span all of Salford CVS’s full Live Well portfolio, including the Economic Activity Trailblazer delivered via the VCSE Elevate Salford partnership, the WorkWell offer through Wellbeing Matters (VCSE-led social prescribing), and any additional Live Well activity that Salford CVS leads or contributes to in the future. This will include our work with our 10GM partners on a large-scale GM National Lottery funded VCSE-led programme called Live Well – Places of Hope and Connection, which you will programme manage here in Salford.

To apply

Please complete our online application form via the ‘Apply’ button.

If you would like to know more about the role, or would prefer a paper copy of the application form, please email our recruitment team.

Closing Date: 12 noon, Monday 16th February 2026
Interview Date: Monday 2nd March 2026

Ataxia UK is in an exciting phase of expansion in its Fundraising activity, specifically regarding investment in a Philanthropy function with a dedicated member of staff. In the past, High Net Worth Individuals (HNWI) have been managed reactively by the CEO and other Fundraising staff as opportunities have arisen. Ataxia UK (AUK) now wants to make a step change, in response to identified potential within the current fundraising landscape, towards strategic management of a pipeline of HNWI. As part of this, AUK is looking to engage a consultant on a fixed term contract, to work closely with the Senior Philanthropy Manager to undertake comprehensive research & scoping, in order to populate a HNWI pipeline for AUK. 

Please note, due to the large number of applications we receive, you will only be contacted should we wish to invite you to interview.

We’re excited to be partnering with Consumers International, a high-impact, international non-profit, membership organisation, working at the forefront of social innovation, consumer rights and global policy. This is a fantastic opportunity for a Communications Lead – a proactive, strategic thinker who can help tell their story to the world.

I’m especially keen to hear from individuals with persuasive communications experience, reaching out to industry makers, government, society, or charities as part of your communications background. B2B Communications experience is essential.

As Communications Lead, you will enjoy working within an innovative, entrepreneurial environment, with a drive to deliver excellence and aptly project manage across high-profile moments – events, product launches, campaigns.

Your experience:

• Demonstrable experience in designing and implementing strategic communications plans which have significantly raised an organisation’s profile.
• Established communications experience, preferably in a B2B environment, for memberships, charity, government or international development sectors
• Evidence of crafting a range of communications that have resonated with funders and/or partners, including across industry and policy-makers.
• Strong track record of creating compelling communications, particularly for digital (website, social media) and externally placed pieces (opinion pieces).
• Strong audience mapping, message development and evaluation experience.
• Excellent project management and organisation skills, being able to lead well across teams and managing external stakeholders to time and budget.

Are you driven to lead strategic communications across digital, social, and campaign channels – helping shape global narratives and raise the visibility of key research, tools, and events for Consumers International? Please apply today!

• Remote role
• 2-year fixed term contract, with strong potential to become permanent
• £43,000- £45,000 depending on experience
• Interviews held on a rolling basis – early applications encouraged.

Applications for the Communications Lead will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Please apply today. For more information, please apply now!

As leading charity recruitment specialists and a certified B Corp™, Harris Hill is committed to high and ever-improving standards of equitable and inclusive recruitment. We actively welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexuality and other protected characteristics.

This newly created role will coordinate persuasive proposals and bids with colleagues across the organisation– working to increase the reach of Phoenix Futures. You will support with the development of fundraising initiatives and produce high quality written materials demonstrating the measurable impact of our services on people’s lives.

The Role

As Strategic Development Officer, you will play a key supporting role in advancing our growth strategy across health and social care settings. Working closely with colleagues and partners, you will help to expand our reach across the UK, ensuring our services are available to those that need them.

You will be responsible for preparing and submitting high quality bids and funding proposals, coordinating input from cross functional teams and producing compelling communications materials. Your work will involve gathering evidence, best practice and case studies to showcase our impact as well as supporting fundraising initiatives and marketing analysis.

About You

Reporting directly to the Head of Strategy and Partnerships, you will:

• Be a experienced in bid writing, proposal development and supporting strategic initiatives.
• Be skilled at interpreting reports and data to communicate impact and value in compelling ways.
• Have strong organisation and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines and coordinate contributions from diverse teams.
• Be comfortable working collaboratively and independently, adapting to changing priorities and supporting colleagues across the organisation.

A detailed job description (role profile) and person specification can be found attached. 

Benefits

• A starting salary of £35,500 with the opportunity to access potential yearly salary increments subject to appraisal, meaning potential salary increase up to £41,000
• Committed to providing a Real Living Wage for you, through accreditation with the Living Wage Foundation 
• 25 days’ annual leave plus Bank Holidays (increasing each year to a maximum of 30 days) 
• Benefits including season ticket loan, pension scheme and life assurance 
• Support through occupational sick pay, eye-care vouchers and regular wellbeing talks and activities 
• Continuous training and career development via PXL our dedicated learning management system  
• Access to a 24/7 Employee Assistance programme including telephone and online access 
• A rewarding role with the opportunity to help us support people on their journey to recovery and change their lives for the better. 
• We’ll ensure you get all the support you need to thrive and succeed in your role and find your place amongst our incredible and collaborative team. 

About Phoenix Futures

The Phoenix Futures Group has 60 years’ experience delivering pioneering psychosocial treatment services. We believe in being the best, which means constantly learning, innovating, and collaborating with partners who share our vision.

Our managers and leaders are guided by a shared set of qualities that shape how we work with colleagues, partners and the people we support. These are: BRAVE, HONEST, VISIBLE, VISIONARY, NURTURING and COLLABORATIVE. These qualities underpin our approach to inclusive leadership, accountability and compassionate practice across Phoenix Futures and support the development of a value aligned culture. 

We encourage and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and believe it is important to include people with lived experience to ensure the needs of the people we support are represented. We are committed to creating an inclusive working environment where everyone is free to be themselves and we ensure equity of opportunity. 

The Interview

Interviews will be held during February/March, if applications are sufficient a first stage process will be held via teams. As the role requires travel to in person events across the country, we do require an in-person interview as the final stage, this will be in London. Full details will be provided to shortlisted candidates.

Please note, we will be assessing applications as they are submitted and may close this role should we find sufficient applicants with which to make our shortlist. As such, we would advise applying as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Digital Communications Officer

£27,693 - £31,173 (plus London weighing if applicable)

Location : Based out of any of the WEA offices, with Hybrid working available. Typically 2 days in the office. Arrangements to be made locally. 

The WEA is the UK’s largest voluntary sector provider of adult education, a charity dedicated to bringing high quality, professional education into the heart of communities.   

Job Description 

WEA are looking for talented individuals to help us deliver our mission – to bring education within reach. If that sounds like you, then please read on. 

 As the Digital Communications Officer, you will play a vital role in enabling the WEA to meet our mission to bring adult education within reach of everyone who needs it, fighting inequality and promoting social justice.

The post holder will be responsible for supporting the Digital Branding Manager with the delivery of impactful digital campaigns (web, social media, email marketing, PR/comms) that focus on promoting our work to a variety of audiences and stakeholders, enabling us to create change for thousands of adult learners across England and Scotland. There will be a particular focus on social media within this role – you would be the WEA social media guru!

This role isn’t about marketing WEA courses, it’s about showcasing the impact of lifelong learning, growing our membership and influencing decision makers and the public. This role would suit a self-starter with knowledge and experience of the social media and digital communications landscape and can think big picture about campaigning activity. We are looking for someone who can film and edit social media content to a high standard as we look to grow our in-house produced social content.

Charity comms experience and experience of working within a charity/non-profit would be an advantage. We are a new team with high ambitions and exciting challenges looking for a creative storyteller who can shape our voice, drive conversations around our work and grow our reach.

We have attached the full role profile, that lists the key deliverables, performance measures and experience/qualifications needed for this role. Please take your time to read through this, and if you’d like to apply, hit that button! 

We are working hard to create a workplace that reflects the communities we seek to serve and in which everyone feels empowered to be themselves and work together to drive positive change. We strongly encourage applicants from a diverse range of candidates and encourage everyone with the appropriate skills, experiences and potential to apply. 

Should you need any support with your application, then please get in touch.     We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible 

 In our recent OFSTED inspection, we received a GOOD overall grade, with an OUTSTANDING rating for Behaviour and Attitudes and Personal Development. 

You can read more about our benefits and what it’s like to work here, on our website 

ESPE is Europe's leading and largest charity focused on improving the clinical care of children and adolescents with endocrine conditions.  We aim for excellence in clinical care, research and education through innovation, collaboration and technology. Our charity is growing its membership and activities at pace, and we are now searching for a Finance Manager who will be the first member of the permanent staff team who is a qualified accountant. 

The Finance Manager role will make a significant difference to how we manage our finances, at an operational and strategic planning level.  We are looking for an individual who is excited by the prospect of transforming our financial governance and management. 

Role overview:

The Finance Manager will work closely with the CEO, Treasurer, and bookkeeper to manage daily financial functions, ensure regulatory compliance, and drive financial performance - including budgeting and forecasting. 

• Contract and working conditions: This is a fixed-term role (initially 18 months) which we envisage will transition to a permanent position. Hours will initially be 17.5 hours per week with remote and flexible working arrangements. Candidates must have the right to work in the UK and be based in the UK.

• Strategic responsibilities: The Finance Manager will support financial target delivery, ensure robust financial systems, and align financial processes with organisational growth and strategy. 

• Operational duties: Responsibilities include preparation of management accounts and all financial reporting, cash flow forecasting, grant management, VAT and tax compliance, audit support, and process improvements. The role also involves liaising with external suppliers and stakeholders and overseeing payroll and pension scheme implementation and management.

• Governance and compliance: The Finance Manager will ensure adherence to the requirements of the Companies Act, Charities Act, and HMRC regulations, ensuring we prepare and submit our statutory accounts on time.  You will coordinate the annual audit, review internal controls, and report financial risks to the ESPE leadership.

• Leadership and collaboration: The role includes providing financial guidance to coordinators and teams to support informed decision-making. 

• Required experience and skills: Candidates must be a qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA/AAT/ICAEW) with at least three years experience in financial or management accounting, preferably in a professional body or learned society. Proficiency in accounting software, and having significant knowledge and understanding of VAT (ideally across Europe), analytical skills, communication, and project management skills are essential. 

• Personal attributes: The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong attention to detail, resilience, collaborative skills, ability to manage multiple priorities, and alignment with ESPE’s mission. You should be proactive, enjoy challenge, be capable of working under pressure, and skilled in influencing and strategic thinking. Must be willing to travel to Europe as required (2-4 times per annum).

Benefits:

• 30 days annual leave, plus UK Bank Holidays
• Flexible working
• Matched pension scheme (up to 7% of salary) 
• Employee assistance programme
• European travel

First interview date: 20th February, online.

Annual Salary: £24,479
Working Hours: 35 hrs pw (Full-time)
Contract: 1 year fixed term
Based: Wythenshawe

We have recently secured a funding from Rank Foundation through their Time To Shine Leadership Programme and is looking for a suitable candidate for the role.

About the Programme: The Rank Foundation’s Time to Shine Leadership Programme (T2S) has been running for almost 15 years. Each year, Rank offers a grant to organisations to fund a full-time, paid Time to Shine candidate (known as a T2S Leader) to develop their leadership potential, skills and talent within a charity or social enterprise. For more info, please click on the link: Time to Shine – The Rank Foundation

What to expect: This is a 12 month programme where you will be a leading role in driving the Stepping Stones Fundraising Campaign forward whilst gaining valuable work experience and developing professional competency. You will also be part of the Time To Shine Programme peer support group of up to 10 other Leaders from other charities, guided and supported through the year by an experienced facilitator. You will be required to participate in Rank-led programme activities in a residential conferences throughout the year, which will include travel away from home and overnight stays (all expenses will be paid). These activities are a mandatory part of the programme.

About the Role: This role will be responsible for delivering impactful content that inspires and engages funders, corporate partners, and community supporters, building a strong and connected community to generate momentum for the campaign. The postholder will also inform, enhance, and implement our communications plan, offering strategic recommendations to continually enhance its effectiveness. Please see Job Description for more details and requirements.

Please note CVs will not be considered as part of your application for this position. Application and Demographic forms must be returned either via email or by post to Manchester Young Lives.

Please ensure you complete the final section of the application from, giving information as to how you meet the person specification. if you have any question on how to fill the application or question, please email us.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

The closing date for completed application forms is 9am Monday the 2nd of February 2026.

Inclusive & Blind Recruitment Statement:

In line with Caudwell Youth’s recruitment policy, we operate a blind recruitment process to help ensure a fair and unbiased selection. At the initial application stage, we ask all candidates to submit only a CV and a covering letter (maximum 1 side of A4) 

Please use your covering letter to explain why you are interested in this position and to explain how your experience, skills, or achievements enable you to meet the person specification and support your application.

Your anonymised cover letter to this question will be the only information shared with the interview panel for the blind shortlisting process, so we encourage you to make it clear and impactful.

Should you be shortlisted for an interview, you will then be invited to fill in our full application form.

We value equity, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences, and identities.

ABOUT US

Not all young people have the same opportunities in life. Caudwell Youth exists to level the playing field for young people at risk. We support young people up to 25 years, who face real challenges in their lives. They may experience mental health challenges, be leaving care or be at risk of exploitation or offending.

We provide person centred support through volunteer-led mentoring for up to 18-months, alongside a targeted intervention programme called Shaping Futures for high-risk young people. Founded by the philanthropist John Caudwell in 2022, we now support young people across Milton Keynes, Hertfordshire, Slough, Buckinghamshire, and Luton.

Over our first 3 years as a charity, our work has consistently achieved exceptional outcomes for at-risk young people. 95% reduced offending behaviour, 64% reduced their exploitation risk, 83% reported improvements in their mental health and 45% had moved into education, employment or training. When a young person makes progress, families and communities benefit too. In fact, economic analysis shows that for every £1 invested in our programme, we save the public purse £6.05.

Unfortunately, demand for our service far outstrips supply, meaning we have often had to close our waiting lists. Whilst the risks and challenges young people face continue to grow. We currently support around 400 young people. The driving ambition behind our forthcoming strategy is to reach more.

To achieve this we are setting out to develop and expand our programmes. To become a national charity. We will do this working with at-risk young people, empowering them in everything we do. Our ambition to support more at-risk young people is shared with them.

OUR VISION: A brighter future for at-risk young people.

OUR MISSION: Empowering at-risk young people to shape their own future through mentoring and youth-led support.

Purpose of Role:

Provide strategic leadership on all Caudwell Youth’s external communications, ensuring they are effective in driving engagement and delivering our strategic goals.

Responsible as part of the Senior Leadership Team for the overall leadership of Caudwell Youth. Promoting the mission, vision and values of the charity, and the development and implementation of our strategic plan.

Key Duties:

Corporate leadership

• As part of the Senior Leadership Team work with the Board of Trustees to: develop and progress the organisation’s strategy, set and manage the organisation’s budget and ensure risks are managed effectively
• Lead by example, instilling a values-led and inclusive culture, with strong youth involvement

Commnications

• Lead on brand strategy, developing the brand to become more youth-led, reviewing our visual identity, core messaging, content and channels.
• Be responsible for digital strategy, leading development of our website and social media channels.
• Be responsible for our CRM, maintaining good data practices and delivering timely, integrated communications to our key audiences.
• Lead the development of communication plans, storytelling, assets and content; increasing the proportion of content created and delivered by young people.
• Provide the framework and support for youth participation in communications activities, working effectively with the Operations teams.
• Work with young people to identify influencers and celebrity/ambassador support to raise awareness and support our brand values.
• Lead proactive and reactive media engagement; including crisis communications with support from the CEO and John Caudwell’s PR team.
• Ensure our brand and communications convey a powerful case for support; working with the Fundraising team to create compelling donor communications to recruit and engage challenge participants and donors.
• Develop and deliver marketing strategies for volunteer recruitment to enable our mentoring programmes to grow.
• Gather and share the views and experiences of young people to influence change, building policy and campaigns activity as resources allow.
• Oversee the production of digital, printed and physical assets as required.
• Lead and manage the Communications team effectively, supporting development to maximise performance.
• Ensure effective processes and analytics are in place, reporting to SLT and the Board of Trustees on KPIs

​Administration

• Manage the Communications budget
• Be responsible for our marketing software, including CRM, and adhere to data retention schedules.
• Act as Data Protection Officer for Caudwell Youth
• Undertake and identify training as required and take a positive approach to personal development.
• Undertake any other reasonable tasks deemed necessary.

Experience:

Essential

• Proven experience in senior communications roles.
• Sound leadership and team management experience, with the ability to manage and motivate teams to achieve targets.
• A minimum of five years’ experience in communications, media relations/PR, advocacy and/or marketing.
• Experience of involving beneficiaries in communications activities, preferably young people
• An good understanding of GDPR.

Desirable

• Experience of working on charity communications
• Knowledge or experience of fundraising practices
• Experience of policy and campaigns
• Experience of working with young people
• Lived experience that aligns with the young people we support

Skills:

• Ability to work strategically and collaboratively as part of a senior leadership team.
• Strong strategic thinking and ability to translate vision into actionable plans.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a talent for storytelling.
• An understanding of developing support journeys to promote engagement
• Proficiency in digital marketing and social media management.

We are an experienced team that are dedicated to improving the lives of the young people we support.

Benefits:

• Flexible working
• Hybrid – working from home with travel as required
• WPA Healthcare (including Employee Assistance Programme and extended counselling sessions)
• Group Personal Pension with a 5% employer contribution and Salary Sacrifice Scheme
• 25 days annual leave (FTE) plus bank holidays, plus charity closure between Christmas and New Year
• Extra paid day off on your birthday
• Paid day off for volunteering in your community
• Training opportunities to support your personal development
• Employee discounts on everyday goods and services
• Being part of a passionate and dedicated team

Caudwell Youth is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. As part of this commitment, we undertake disclosure checks in accordance with the Codes of Practice for all. Having a criminal record will not automatically exclude applicants.

As an organisation supporting young people with care experience, with mental health and those at risk of criminal exploitation and offending, we are keen to receive applications from those with lived experience. For those who are care experienced, we will guarantee an interview.

We actively seek to bring diverse perspectives and experience, and especially welcome applications from disabled people and those from Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic backgrounds and LGBTQ+.

We are seeking a leader with a hands-on approach to lead our small team of administrative staff and support our Board of Trustees and members to help shape and implement our strategy for the future. You will manage the day-to-day operations of the organisation, translating the strategy into practice to help the organisation grow and deliver real value to our members.

About Us
ACAT is a charity dedicated to advancing Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT) through training, accreditation and the provision of continuous professional development to CAT Therapists. Also, through research and promotion of CAT as a valuable and valued talking therapy.

About you
We are looking for someone who is an experienced leader with a knowledge of and understanding of CAT who is:
A strategic thinker
Able to set, manage and report on budgets
An excellent communicator with a proven track record of implementing change

Why Join ACAT
The opportunity to work with dedicated professionals to develop CAT training and the governance of CAT therapists
30 days annual leave for FTE (Pro Rata)
Flexible working arrangements with both home working and some team-based hours each month at the office in Dorchester, Dorset, and attendance at ad hoc meetings and events in person within the UK from time to time.

This is a permanent contract; part-time flexible 14 hours per week subject to successful completion of a 6-month probationary period.

Closing date: Wednesday 11th February 2026