Charity People is delighted to be partnering with the Social Research Association to recruit a permanent Communications Manager.
An educational charity and membership body, the Social Research Association aims to drive excellence in the conduct, development and application of social research to deliver lasting benefits to the social research profession and the wider public good. With around 1600 members who work in government, academic, the voluntary and private sector or as freelancers, the organisation's key activities include training, events, ethics reviews and regular publications.
You'll be joining the small, supportive team at an exciting time following a period of investment in its membership offering and in the lead up to its 50th anniversary in 2028.
Contract: Permanent role, offered on either a full time or part time, four day per week basis, with flexible working options offered and fully supported
Salary: £38,000 to £43,000 per annum
Location: Home based role with occasional travel required for events or Team Days, anticipated at around 10 days per year with travel reimbursed
Closing date for applications: 9am on Thursday 2nd April
Interviews: Interviews will be held on Friday 24th April
The incoming Communications Manager will have real ownership of the communications output for the organisation as well as strategic influence, while retaining day to day responsibility for the delivery of messaging.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone who has been leading communications projects or channels and is now ready to lead strategy - someone who wants more autonomy, broader responsibility, and the chance to shape the voice of a respected membership organisation.
Core responsibilities within the role will include:
- Deliver and evolve the SRA's communications strategy across all platforms increasing the visibility of the SRA and engagement the wider social research community
- Advise senior leadership and trustees on messaging, brand positioning, and audience engagement
- Shape how the organisation communicates with members, stakeholders, and the wider research community
- Monitor and evaluate communications impact using analytics and insights
- Produce and manage engaging content for newsletters, blogs, social media, email campaigns, the website, the membership hub, press releases, and promotional campaigns
- Lead communications around SRA publications to raise profile and reach
- Oversee editorial calendars and ensure timely, high-quality delivery
- Keep up to date with digital and social media trends and platform developments
- Create and maintain effective systems and workflows for communications outputs
- Support clear, inclusive internal communications for staff, trustees, and volunteers
- Develop materials for impact reporting and organisational updates
- Build positive relationships with partner organisations, research funders, editors, freelancers, and other stakeholders
This position is perfect for someone ready to take a step up to take on more strategic responsibility, or someone already working at Manager level.
You'll thrive at the Social Research Association if you enjoy combining hands-on delivery with bigger-picture thinking, and if you're excited by the idea of shaping an organisation's communications approach.
Key experience and skills required for the role are as follows:
- Experience in communications, journalism, media, or a related field
- Strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills
- Experience managing communications projects or channels, especially LinkedIn content
- Ability to tailor messaging for different audiences and platforms
- Strong organisational skills and confidence managing multiple deadlines
- Analytical mindset, with the ability to interpret engagement data and adapt strategy
- Creative, proactive, and eager to grow into a more strategic role
- Commitment to equity, accessibility, and inclusive practice
If you're interested in hearing more about this opportunity, please send your CV to Alice at Charity People in the first instance. Alice can be reached by using 'apply now' button on the advert.
Charity People is a forward thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Salary: £45,215 plus benefits (Our pay philosophy ensures consistency across locations and salaries. The starting salary for this opportunity plus benefits depends on location of the candidate).
The role:
We are recruiting for a values-driven and experienced finance leader to join Mary’s Meals International (MMI) as Senior Finance Manager. Reporting to the Head of Finance, you will provide leadership to the MMI Finance team, ensuring the effective delivery of high-quality financial management, reporting and control across our global movement.
This is a key role within the Finance & Procurement Directorate, supporting an ambitious growth strategy. You will play a central role in strengthening financial stewardship, ensuring robust controls are in place, and promoting value for money across our global network.
In this role, you will combine strategic oversight with hands-on leadership - driving excellence in financial reporting, treasury management, compliance, and continuous improvement of financial systems and processes.
You will:
- Lead and develop the MMI Finance team, fostering a high-performing, collaborative and accountable culture.
- Oversee the production of monthly management accounts, forecasts and trend analysis, providing meaningful financial insight to support decision-making.
- Lead on donor financial reporting and proposal support, ensuring accuracy, consistency and timely delivery.
- Support delivery of the annual budgeting process, including provision of key analytics and oversight of review processes.
- Ensure robust financial control across the organisation, safeguarding the proper and effective use of funds.
- Oversee statutory reporting, audit, treasury, payroll and pension activities, ensuring compliance with UK financial, charity and tax regulations.
- Work closely with National Affiliates and Programme teams to strengthen financial processes, systems and controls across the global network.
- Drive continuous improvement of financial policies, reporting and systems, promoting a consistent and high-quality control environment.
About you
You will be a qualified finance professional (CCAB or equivalent) with substantial post-qualification experience and a strong track record of leading finance teams. Strategic yet pragmatic, you will be comfortable operating at both operational and senior levels - providing clear financial insight, strengthening controls, and supporting organisational growth across a global network.
You will bring significant experience in UK financial reporting (FRS 102), alongside proven experience developing high-performing teams and implementing effective policies, systems, and change initiatives. With strong analytical and conceptual capability, you will translate complex financial data into clear, actionable insight. You will also have experience managing auditors, financial institutions, and external service providers, and be able to prioritise effectively, work autonomously, and deliver to deadlines.
Strong communication skills, sound judgement, and cultural sensitivity are essential in building effective relationships across diverse international contexts. Experience within a UK charity or multinational charitable context, including understanding of UK charity reporting (Charities SORP) would be highly desirable.
About us:
Mary’s Meals is a global movement supported by people from all walks of life, united by one goal, that every child receives a nutritious daily meal in a place of education. Today, more than 3 million children will receive Mary’s Meals, changing lives through access to food and education.
We believe in the innate goodness of people, respect the dignity of every human being and family life, and are committed to good stewardship of the resources entrusted to us. In line with our values, Mary’s Meals is fully committed to a culture of safeguarding. We expect all members of the Mary’s Meals family to share this commitment and to work in the best interests of the communities we serve. Our safe recruitment practices ensure that only those aligned with our high standards join our movement.
Salary advertised is for UK-based candidates. Our salary philosophy ensures consistency across locations where Mary’s Meals operates.
Our Benefits:
- 34 days annual leave (pro-rated for part time working patterns) including bank holidays, increasing by 1 day each completed calendar year, to a maximum of 39 days (+ option to buy another week)
- Flexible working
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Life assurance
- Pension
To apply:
If you are inspired to join our movement and our vision, mission and values resonate with you, we would love to hear from you. To apply, please submit your CV along with a short covering note (no more than one page) outlining why you are a strong fit for this role and why you would like to work for Mary’s Meals International.
Senior Finance Manager - JD
Closing date for applications is Sunday 5th April 2026
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.
Applicant Privacy Statement
Our vision is that every child receives one daily meal in their place of education.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.