Director of communications jobs in Manchester, greater manchester

Manager (Chief Executive) – Chorlton Good Neighbours
Location: Chorlton, Manchester
Salary: £35,000 - £40,000 per annum
Contract: Permanent, full time

Could you be the steady, friendly, hands-on leader who helps more people in Chorlton feel connected, fulfilled and valued?

About Chorlton Good Neighbours
Chorlton Good Neighbours is a small, well-loved neighbourhood charity with roots back to the late 1960s, working to reduce loneliness and support older people across Chorlton and adjacent neighbourhoods. Our work is local, practical and volunteer-led: befriending, home visits, transport, weekly activities, monthly teas, intergenerational groups and occasional day trips are all delivered with warmth and care.

Our volunteer base is extraordinary - around 100 volunteers support drivers, befrienders, activity leads, admin roles and trustees - and in 2024–25 we supported 474 people in total. Funding is a mixed model of public grants, local donations and modest earned income and the charity holds healthy funds to deliver our work.

This is a practical, hands-on, delivery-focused leadership role: you will lead a neighbourhood organisation through planned transition, preserving the community culture that makes CGN trusted, while introducing proportionate systems and succession approaches that secure its future. You will also spend substantial time supporting and supervising volunteers and facilitating activities alongside strategic duties.

As our next Manager (Chief Executive), you will:

• Strategy & Impact: Lead the development and delivery of a clear long-term strategy that sustains CGN’s neighbourhood impact and reduces social isolation amongst older people.

• Governance & Finance: Strengthen proportionate financial controls, grant monitoring and reporting while working closely with trustees including the Treasurer.

• Operational Leadership: Manage day-to-day delivery of volunteer-led services and introduce accessible procedures and safeguarding arrangements.

• Income Generation: Support fundraising and bid activity to secure multi-year funding and diversify local income streams.

• Community & Partnerships: Act as CGN’s visible ambassador, maintaining and developing relationships with Manchester City Council, NHS partners and local organisations.

• Volunteer Development: Recruit, induct and support volunteers and facilitators, building a resilient volunteer pipeline and clear role pathways.

• Brand & Profile: Promote CGN’s offer across local channels to maintain footfall, attract new supporters and celebrate members’ stories.

• Premises & Risk: Work with trustees on lease and premises issues and maintain a robust risk register to protect continuity of service.

Who you are

• An experienced, hands-on manager with significant experience of running small, community-facing charities or local services and a hands-on approach to operational delivery.

• Demonstrable expertise in recruiting, supporting and retaining volunteers, with confidence in DBS/safeguarding practice and volunteer supervision.

• Highly organised with strong event/activity planning skills, practical problem solving and attention to detail.

• Financially literate - comfortable with budgeting, grant monitoring and basic financial controls and able to work with volunteer finance leads.

• An excellent communicator: approachable, diplomatic and skilled at building trust with older people, volunteers, trustees and statutory partners.

• Values driven, emotionally resilient and committed to inclusivity and dignity in later life.

• Desirable: experience of Age-Friendly programmes or befriending schemes and local credibility or knowledge of Manchester/South Manchester.

Why Chorlton Good Neighbours?

• Meaningful local impact - lead a well-regarded neighbourhood charity with deep community trust and a broad activities programme.

• Strong volunteer culture - join an organisation supported by around 100 committed volunteers and an engaged trustee board.

• Secure footing to build from - healthy funds and a clear focus on securing multi-year funding and premises.

• Hands-on role with strategic scope - keep delivery at the heart of the job while developing proportionate systems and succession planning.

• Supportive transition - trustees have planned a careful handover and you will be supported through induction and the subsequent recruitment of a part-time assistant.

For full details of the role including how to apply, please download the full appointment brief. For an informal and confidential conversation about this position, please contact Jenny Hills at Harris Hill via the apply button with times to speak and (optional but appreciated) a CV or professional profile which will be treated with the strictest confidence.

Closing date for applications: 9am, Monday 13th April 2026

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.

Reporting to: Head of Major Giving   

Location of Work: Home based. The post holder will be expected to travel to meet donors, travel to away days and team meetings in London. The role may involve some irregular travel throughout England and Scotland. Expenses will be paid in line with our Travel and Expenses policy. Candidate will need to live commutable distance to London.   

Contract Type: Ideally full-time, 35 hours per week, although 28 hours/compressed hours may be considered. The role may require occasional evening and weekend work    

Contract Length: Permanent    

Salary: £43,500 

BACKGROUND    

Magic Breakfast’s mission is to end child morning hunger in the UK now and for good. The latest research suggests that 2.7 million children are at risk of hunger, meaning one in five children don’t have enough to eat. When a child is too hungry to learn, they struggle to concentrate, absorb information, and manage their emotions, causing them to fall behind in their studies. 

Magic Breakfast provides a nutritious breakfast to over 350,000 children and young people every school day. We work with schools in areas of high disadvantage, helping staff target children most in need without barrier or stigma.

We work with schools in areas of high disadvantage, helping staff target the children most in need without barrier or stigma. We are now at an exciting point in our journey as we launch Nourishing Futures, our long-term strategy, which capitalises on market changes and government commitments to scale our work, while redefining breakfast spaces not just as places to eat, but as places to thrive. 

In response to a challenging funding landscape, and to seize on the opportunities ahead, we have recently brought together our Philanthropy and Trusts teams into a unified Major Giving function, enabling us to build deep, values-driven relationships with high-value supporters.  

The Major Giving Lead – Individual Donors will play a pivotal role in this new function, leading all relationships with high-net-worth individuals (HNWI) and ensuring exceptional donor care and engagement. Reporting to the Head of Major Giving, this role is a senior, strategic position crucial to driving the organisation’s fundraising growth and deliver against our mission. 

JOB PURPOSE   

The Major Giving Lead – Individual Donors is a senior, strategic role within Magic Breakfast’s unified Major Giving function, acting as the organisation’s expert on philanthropy. This role will lead and manage relationships with high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs), ensuring exceptional donor care, long-term engagement, and the growth of transformational gifts.  

Working closely with the Head of Major Giving, the Major Giving Lead will help develop and embed a cohesive Major Giving strategy, fostering strong synergies across the Major Giving team. In partnership with the other Major Giving Lead (Trust & Foundations) this role will create unified stewardship programmes, prospect development strategies, and engagement opportunities, ensuring a seamless and compelling experience for donors across all major giving streams. It will also work closely with the Business Development Manager (Scotland) to ensure effective ways of working across devolved nations and to unlock opportunities for HNWI in Scotland.  

This is a high-impact, leadership-focused role for a proactive, strategic, and relationship-driven individual, capable of influencing key stakeholders, shaping organisational approaches to major giving, and driving the growth of Magic Breakfast’s mission to end child morning hunger across the UK.  

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:    

Leadership and team collaboration  

• Act as the senior lead and subject matter expert for HNWI relationships across the organisation.  

• Work closely with the Head of Major Giving and Major Giving Lead – Trust & Foundations to develop and embed a cohesive Major Giving strategy, fostering strong synergies between Major Individual Donors and Trusts, with a clear link to synergies in other teams.   

• Support the Head of Major Giving and Trust & other Major Giving Lead in mentoring and guiding other members of the Major Giving Team.  

• Provide leadership, insights and expertise across the wider organisation to support the delivery of our new organisational goals, including through contributions to the sub-goal working groups and other enabling strategies.   

• Collaborate within the fundraising, and across other, departments to deliver cross-organisational initiatives, events and campaigns, championing opportunities to unlock HNWI giving.    

• Scan the external environment for trends, insights, ideas and best practice that could benefit the Major Giving team and Magic Breakfast’s work, making recommendations for improvements and leading on opportunities as they arise.  

• Work in close partnership with the Business Development Manager (Scotland) to ensure joined-up approaches to HNWI opportunities in Scotland, sharing expertise, aligning stewardship, and enabling effective cross-team working.  

• Flex to provide support across the Major Giving team where necessary, responding and supporting shared team-wide objectives and any trust and foundations work if required. 

Income generation, donor stewardship and prospect development   

• With support from the Head of Major Giving, deliver the 25/26 individual giving income target of c£800k by personally managing a portfolio of new and existing major donors and family foundations, with a focus on securing, renewing and uplifting gifts above £50k+ .   

• In partnership with other teams and departments, develop, test and roll out new data-driven approaches to target and reach new HNWI and other major giving audiences.  

• Work with our Prospect Researcher Manager to identify and execute opportunities to grow our prospect pool, including from across other teams, and to facilitate personal introductions and meetings with yourself or other Magic Breakfast employees/ volunteers – providing relevant briefings where appropriate.  

• Support and collaborate with the Business Development Manager (Scotland) where shared funder relationships or new opportunities arise.  

• Develop and implement tailored cultivation and solicitation strategies for new and existing HNWIs, leveraging and building relationships within and across Magic Breakfast networks’ to support our fundraising objectives.  

• Support, and where required lead, on the delivery of cross-organisational projects including any major giving campaigns, collaborating closely with colleagues across the organisation, including Brand & Marketing, and other relevant teams, to project manage effectively and ensure activity is informed by insights and organisational expertise, and delivers against its KPIs with a strong return on investment.  

• Maintain a strong knowledge of the organisation strategy, business plan and opportunities for innovation and ‘value-add’, to identify and build accurate and inspiring giving propositions, wish lists and a persuasive case for support  

• Ensure exceptional relationship management and donor reporting, with high-quality donor care and stewardship techniques that speak to the motivations and interests of our donors, exploring ways to build our donor community – such as through giving circles.  

• Work with colleagues across the Major Giving and other income generation teams to design and deliver a calendar of bespoke engagement opportunities, events and experiences for donors and prospects, ensuring high-quality execution and timely reviews.  

• Champion innovation in donor journeys, engagement campaigns, and communications to maximize supporter impact and retention, ensuring everyone is aligned behind clear, measurable goals and delivers with purpose and consistency.

• Work with the Head of Individual Giving and Engagement to establish a clear mid-level giving programme and to ensure opportunities and leads are recognised and developed where possible and that there is a high-level of stewardship.

Financial Processes, Reporting, and Due Diligence  

• Support the Head of Major Giving to conduct effective annual planning and budgeting, setting, measuring and reporting against agreed KPIs and utilising data and insights to inform decisions and future planning.   

• Support the Head of Major Giving to prepare phased budgets and reforecasts, identifying and recognising opportunities and risks to income in line with activity plans and progress.  

• Ensure all HNWI income and activity is reconciled and recorded on Magic Breakfast database systems (Salesforce) with relevant supporting documents, including gift aid and gift instruments in place.  

• Work with finance and performance and relevant business leads to manage programme budgets and restrictions.  

• As requested, provide regular reports and updates to the Head of Major Giving, Director of Fundraising & Development and other stakeholders as required.    

General   

• Maintain strong communication and alignment with the Business Development Manager (Scotland), ensuring funder and donor activity is coordinated and opportunities are maximised across nations.  

• Ensure all donor due diligence is completed and compliant with ethical fundraising standards, GDPR and organisational policy.  

• Contribute to team meetings, sharing best practice and supporting team members where necessary  

• Help to maintain a positive working environment; keeping the vision of Magic Breakfast at the heart of everything we do  

• Uphold a culture that keeps children and young people at the heart and encourages openness, collaboration, bravery, compassion and a solutions-focussed approach  

• Work collaboratively across the organisation more widely to build good working relations across the organisation and provide ad-hoc support to other teams and members of staff  

• Adhere to all Magic Breakfast policies and procedures  

• Ensure that all activity is compliant with current legislation, GDPR and child safeguarding requirements (training provided)  

• Participate in occasional work-related events at external venues and perform support related activities, as required. Be willing to undertake occasional work outside of regular office hours and UK travel  

• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the role  

PERSON SPECIFICATION   

Knowledge and Experience    

• Experience generating income and developing a sustainable pipeline of revenue from high-net-worth individuals.  

• Experience of working with high level volunteers and/or committees to deliver major fundraising targets.   

• Excellent and proven knowledge of major gift fundraising methodology including prospect research, managing databases for major account portfolio management, proposal preparation and the cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of major donors.   

• Proven track record of successfully identifying, securing and cultivating six and seven figure commitments from HNWI.  

• Experience of building, leading and contributing to effective teams and relationships to achieve a high level of performance.  

• Understanding of Magic Breakfast’s cause and the challenges faced by families and children with respect to morning hunger.  

• A good understanding of the fundraising and philanthropy landscape in which Magic Breakfast operates and the relevant fundraising and data legislation and best practice.  

• Experience of effectively and authentically incorporating the voices and views of people with lived experience in fundraising activities.  

Skills and Abilities    

• Skilled and confident in soliciting major gifts, with a natural ability to ‘make the ask’.  

• High emotional intelligence and creativity to develop compelling campaigns, cases for support, and donor relationships.  

• Strong analytical and constructive thinking, with the ability to problem-solve, adapt, and develop innovative solutions to complex challenges.  

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with confidence presenting to a variety of audiences.  

• Ability to build and maintain strong, positive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, both internal and external.  

• Excellent time management and organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.  

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to high-quality outputs.  

• A collaborative team player with the ability to work both independently and across teams, proactively engaging colleagues.  

• Skilled in identifying, escalating, and managing risk effectively.  

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel (advanced level) and other Microsoft Office products; ease with IT packages such as Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint.  

• Experience using fundraising databases (ideally Salesforce) as well as other systems, such as asana, to support performance management and reporting.   

• Ability to keep accurate and up-to-date records, adapting processes where needed to meet organisational requirements.  

• Understanding of Health and Safety and other regulations as they apply to events.  

WHAT WE OFFER

At Magic Breakfast we value our employees and work hard to develop offer a supportive, respectful culture which enables everyone to thrive. For more information, please visit our recruitment pack via our webiste. 

APPLICATION PROCCESS

Should you wish to discuss the role before applying please email our People and Culture Team, HR @ magicbreakfast. com

Shortlisting - w/c 6th April

Interview 1 - 20th and 22nd April

Interview 2 - 27th April

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a high volume of applications are received. This is to ensure that we can manage application levels whilst maintaining a positive candidate experience. Unfortunately, once a vacancy has closed, we are unable to consider further applications.

About the role

If you're passionate about keeping people safe and making a real difference, this is your chance to use your expertise where it truly matters. As our Health & Safety Compliance Manager, you'll play a vital role in creating safe, supportive spaces across more than 170 Mind shops across England & Wales.

You'll take the lead on shaping our Health & Safety approach, offering expert advice, strengthening our safety culture, and building strong relationships with teams across the country. Every day, you'll help bring our values and behaviours to life while playing a key role in supporting the wider fight for mental health.

If you want a role with purpose - where your skills protect people, improve experiences, and support the wider fight for mental health - this could be the perfect next step.

We're looking for someone who:

• Holds the NEBOSH Diploma (or equivalent) and brings solid experience in a Health & Safety management role within a similar environment.
• Can translate complex technical information into clear, accessible guidance for colleagues at all levels.
• Has experience managing risk assessments, statutory compliance and provider/contractor relationships with confidence.
• Thrives working independently, juggling multiple priorities, and building strong partnerships across diverse teams.

Ready to make a difference?

Join Mind Retail. Join the fight for mental health.

Mind Retail reserve the right to close the vacancy to applications earlier, should we receive a high volume of strong candidates. Therefore we encourage an early application.

About our benefits

As Health & Safety Compliance Manager, you'll receive:

• A competitive salary of £39,572 per year
• A company car
• A strong commitment to work-life balance
• 25 days' paid holiday per year, plus bank holidays
• Development workshops & courses, to help build your career
• Comprehensive, personalised induction programmes, tailored to your role when you join us
• A huge variety of additional qualifications & development programmes for anyone looking to grow their skills
• Family friendly policies & enhanced pay
• A competitive pension scheme & life assurance, available to all our employees
• 25% staff discount in all Mind shops
• Access to exclusive discounts at over 160 retailers through our employee savings app
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Interest free season ticket loan

About Mind Retail

Mind Retail are a network of over 170 shops across England and Wales, generating an income of around £25 million per year. We have ambitious plans to grow over the next few years and we're going to be fighting for mental health in a way we never have before. We won't stop until everyone with a mental health problem gets the support and respect they deserve. There's never been a more exciting time to join us.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

We value the power of diversity. We embrace the different perspectives that each of us bring. We are creating an inclusive working environment where everyone is appreciated for being authentic and bringing their whole selves to work.

More details

For more information and a full person specification, please check on the Job Description button below.

Chief Impact Officer (International Human Rights/Modern Slavery Charity)

Location: Remote in the UK (with regular travel to Manchester) | Salary: up to £80,000 per annum | Contract: Full-time

The Opportunity

Civitas Recruitment are delighted to be working with a leading international, anti-trafficking charity who are seeking a Chief Impact Officer to spearhead global Programmes, Policy, Training and Survivor Inclusion. This executive role will shape and scale programme strategy, champion innovation, and ensure delivery remains survivor-centred, rights-based and grounded in evidence. Working closely with the CEO and senior colleagues, you will strengthen impact, influence systemic change, build a learning culture through MEAL-driven insight, and support sustainable programmatic funding across an international portfolio.

Key Responsibilities

Lead global programme strategy and innovation, aligning delivery to the organisation’s long-term framework and theory of change.

Oversee development and quality of programmes across the Global North and Global South, including partnership and new product development.

Strengthen MEAL capacity, data consistency and digitisation, using insights to drive quality, learning and continuous improvement.

Provide executive oversight of operational procedures, safeguarding, due diligence, governance and programmatic risk management.

Lead the global Policy and Research agenda; build relationships and represent the organisation in relevant forums and platforms.

Oversee global learning and training functions, developing prevention/awareness and internal/external training products.

Accountability for programme budgets and funding needs; support grants, reporting and donor engagement alongside fundraising colleagues.

Embed survivor-empowering approaches across programmes, policy, learning and external engagement.

The Candidate

Significant senior leadership experience within an international organisation, with a strong track record of scaling impact.

Strong experience of international programme leadership, including remote/multi-cultural teams and complex operating environments.

Expertise in MEAL and using data, research and learning agendas to improve programme quality and strategic decision-making.

Proven ability to influence policy and advocacy, including oversight/commissioning of research and engagement with senior stakeholders.

Strong financial and operational acumen, including budget oversight and managing grants from a programmatic perspective (compliance and reporting).

Confident communicator at Board and external senior stakeholder level; strong written and verbal skills, including public speaking.

Experience leading through risk and crisis management, with a diplomatic and collaborative approach.

Highly desirable: sector experience in modern slavery/human trafficking or closely aligned human rights fields.

How to Apply

Please apply immediately or further infomation and informal dicussion, please contact Syed at Civitas Recruitment. Rolling applications. 

About Young Roots

At Young Roots, we want to see a compassionate and welcoming society for young refugees and asylum seekers in the UK. We work alongside young people seeking safety in the UK, building trusted relationships, providing practical and emotional support and promoting young people’s rights and power.

Our youth clubs and casework are transformative for young refugees, allowing young people who have fled danger, had traumatic journeys and who are often here alone, to find community and connection, have a space to be a young person and access support in addressing a whole range of practical challenges they face. We also draw on our evidence from working every day with young refugees and asylum seekers to call for change to the laws and policies which are harming young people. 

The role

We’re looking for an experienced and collaborative Head of Finance to lead our financial management, planning, and governance.

This is a senior and influential role, sitting on our Leadership Group and working closely with the CEO, Trustees, and Finance Committee. You’ll provide clear financial insight to support decision-making, ensure strong financial stewardship, and help us plan sustainably for the future.

You’ll take ownership of the full finance function, supported by an Internal Operations Officer who manages day-to-day transactional processing.

What you’ll do

• Lead financial planning, including budgeting, forecasting, and cashflow management
• Produce clear, high-quality management accounts and financial analysis
• Support strategic decision-making through strong financial insight and modelling
• Ensure robust financial controls, systems, and compliance (including audit, SORP, and statutory reporting)
• Partner with colleagues across the organisation to support budgeting, funding bids, and full cost recovery
• Oversee payroll and financial operations, ensuring accuracy and efficiency
• Contribute to organisational strategy as part of the Leadership Group

About you

You’ll be a confident and values-driven finance professional who enjoys working collaboratively and making complex information accessible.

You’ll bring:

• Significant experience in a senior finance role within a charity or not-for-profit
• Strong knowledge of charity finance, including SORP, restricted funding, and compliance
• Experience producing management accounts, budgets, and forecasts for non-finance audiences
• The ability to influence and support senior leaders with financial insight
• A proactive, hands-on approach with strong attention to detail

A professional accountancy qualification (ACA/ACCA/CIMA) or equivalent experience is desirable.

This role is designed as a part-time position (28 hours/week) with flexibility around how hours are worked. We are a hybrid organisation, with the option to work remotely or from our London offices (Croydon or Brent). We ask that ideally you attend at least one in-person team day per month in London.

We offer a supportive, inclusive working environment and the opportunity to play a key role in a mission-driven organisation making a real difference.

To Apply:

To apply, please submit your CV alongside a personal statement by the closing date outlining how you would be a great fit for the role.

Your personal statement should be no more than 800 words, answering the following questions:

1. What is your motivation for working with Young Roots? (100 words)
2. What is your motivation for applying for this role specifically? (200 words)
3. What skills and experience would you bring that will enable you to be successful in this role?  Please ensure you refer to the essential criteria on the person specification and provide examples to demonstrate how and where you meet the criteria. (500 words)

Please submit your application via Charity Jobs.

No agencies, please.

Closing date: 14th April

Interview date: 20th April

Young Roots recognises the positive value of diversity, promotes equity and challenges discrimination. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, particularly those who can face disadvantage in employment, such as people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, LGBTQ+ individuals and people with disabilities. As an organisation that supports refugees, asylum seekers and migrants, we particularly welcome applications from people within these communities. We offer a guaranteed interview for those with lived experience of the asylum system and those with disabilities, where they meet the essential elements of the person specification. If aspects of the application process create barriers to you applying and you’d like any adjustment to the process or you’d like an informal discussion or advice on your application, please get in touch. We would also like to alert you to the existence of organisations which support people from under-represented groups to access employment, who can advise you on applying for this role. For example, Scope, Young Women’s Trust and Experts by Experience.

Young Roots is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. We take this duty very seriously.

Our work is underpinned by policies and procedures which promote safe working practices. We have a framework of training and supervision which everyone is expected to comply with and systems for monitoring, quality assurance and gaining service user feedback. On joining you will be expected to be part of this approach to safeguard our service users.