Head of Communications: Maternity Cover

Job Title: Head of Communications: Maternity Cover

Location: London/Hybrid 2 days a week in office

Salary: £70,700.00 per annum

Weekly Hours: 35

Reference: YMC1231934

About Us

Founded in 1844, YMCA is a global movement and the world's largest youth-focused charity.  In England and Wales, YMCAs are based in over 700 communities across168 local authorities supporting young people and communities to reach their potential. The turnover of YMCA in 2025-26 was £386m. YMCA England & Wales is a £23 million organisation of more than 400 colleagues, supporting a Federation of 80 local YMCAs to deliver vital services which positively impact young lives across the country. As we enter 2027, a year of significant impact in our mission, we seek a Head of Communications for maternity cover.

The opportunity

As Head of Communications, you'll lead YMCA England & Wales' communications and reputation strategy, growing our influence, visibility and impact across England and Wales. You'll be responsible for leading the delivery of an integrated communications strategy that strengthens our reputation, supports organisational priorities, amplifies the voices and experiences of young people, and positions YMCA as a leading voice on the issues that matter most to young people and communities.

Working closely with the Senior Leadership Team, local YMCAs and external stakeholders, you'll oversee YMCA England & Wales’ media relations, collaborative public affairs and campaign communications, digital communications, content development, brand amplification, event delivery, internal communications, and crisis communications. As part of the Leadership Team, you'll work collaboratively across departments to help deliver our strategic goals.

Day to day, you'll provide expert communications counsel to senior leaders and trustees, protect and grow our brand and reputation, lead integrated campaigns that support our influencing objectives, and turn research and insight into compelling public narratives. You'll also lead our approach to crisis communications and issues management. You'll manage a high-performing communications team, alongside the budget for that team, and help strengthen communications capability across the wider YMCA Federation.

About You

You're an experienced, strategic communications leader who can operate confidently at senior and board level, translating organisational priorities into clear, compelling communications plans. You'll have a strong track record in brand awareness building, reputation management and media relations, and an instinct for storytelling that builds engagement and trust.

You're calm and decisive under pressure, with proven experience leading crisis and issues communications. You know how to lead, motivate and develop a team, manage budgets effectively, and build strong relationships across a complex, federated organisation. Above all, you're passionate about YMCA's mission and committed to championing equality, diversity, inclusion and safeguarding in everything you do.

Our recruitment process is anonymised and candidates' names are hidden. We welcome and encourage job applications from people of all backgrounds. Safer recruitment is important to us and the successful applicant will be asked to provide two references. They will also be required to complete a safeguarding self-declaration, safeguarding training and undertake a DBS check.