Director of development jobs in Birmingham, west midlands

We are looking for a skilled and proactive Media & PR Manager to lead and deliver our media activity at a pivotal time for animal-free science.

This is an opportunity to shape how Animal Free Research UK is represented across national, sector and digital media. You will operate as a standalone role, responsible for building our reputation as a credible and authoritative voice on human-specific medical research, strengthening understanding of alternatives to animal testing.

Working across science, policy and communications, you will translate complex ideas into clear, compelling stories, secure high-quality media coverage, and support the organisation to respond effectively to emerging opportunities and challenges.

What you’ll be doing

• Setting direction and priorities for all media and PR activity
• Shaping how animal-free research is represented in public and policy conversations
• Building and maintaining an effective media presence, including securing coverage, developing media materials and managing media relationships
• Using judgement and insight to guide activity, including responding to media enquiries, advising colleagues and identifying opportunities and risks

What we’re looking for

We’re looking for someone who can combine strong media instincts with sound judgement and the confidence to both shape and deliver media activity in a standalone role.

You will bring:

• Proven experience in a media or PR role, with evidence of securing meaningful coverage
• Experience operating with a high degree of autonomy, setting direction and managing delivery of media activity
• Excellent writing and communication skills, with the ability to explain complex topics clearly
• Confidence in building relationships with journalists and stakeholders
• Experience handling both proactive and reactive media work
• The ability to manage multiple priorities and respond effectively under pressure

You don’t need to come from a scientific background, but you should be comfortable engaging with complex subject matter and motivated by our mission.

Why join us?

Animal Free Research UK is working to accelerate the transition to human-specific research methods that deliver better treatments for patients without the use of animals.

This role offers the opportunity to:

• Contribute to a mission-driven organisation creating meaningful change
• Work at the intersection of science, policy and public engagement
• Shape media narratives around an important and evolving area of research
• Take ownership of a key organisational function within a collaborative and supportive team

Lloyds Bank Foundation 

Head of Community-Led Change (Wales) 

Starting Salary:£69,215. Plus 3.6% increase following successful completion of probation period. 

Contract: Full-time, permanent contract (we are open to conversations about flexibility - so please ask) 

Location: Remote role with expectation of regular travel through Wales, across regions and to London 

About Lloyds Bank Foundation 

Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales is an independent charitable foundation, backed by Lloyds Banking Group and the people within it. We want everyone to be in a good place - personally, in a home that’s a good place to live, and in a community that’s a good place to belong. 

We play our role by connecting and catalysing community-led change, providing the money, time, tools and connections that build organisations’ capacity and capability, to make people’s lives better and their communities stronger. 

We back people and communities across England and Wales, to make that happen, because when you back brilliant people, brilliant things happen. Our communities are full of ambitious, energetic and determined people stepping up to make their neighbours’ lives better and their communities grow stronger. Day in, day out. 

About the Role 

This is a pivotal leadership opportunity to shape and lead the Foundation’s work across Wales, ensuring that community-led change reflects Welsh priorities, policy, and lived experience. 

As Head of Community-Led Change (Wales), you will provide strategic leadership for programmes and partnerships, driving a place-based approach that delivers meaningful and lasting impact. You will work collaboratively across the organisation to align funding, development support, and influencing activity, ensuring a coordinated and effective approach. 

You will build strong relationships with Welsh Government, public bodies, funders, and community organisations, acting as a credible and visible ambassador. You will also contribute to organisational leadership, supporting strategic direction while leading a high-performing team in Wales. 

About You 

We’re looking for an experienced and credible leader with a strong understanding of Wales, its communities, and policy landscape. You will bring a track record of leading programmes, building partnerships, and delivering impact. 

You will combine strategic thinking with practical delivery, alongside strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to navigate complexity. A commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging is essential. 

How to Apply 

Please click ‘Apply’ to be redirected to our website, where you can download the Candidate Information Pack and find details of how to apply. 

For an informal conversation about the role and application process, please contact our recruitment partner, Atkinson HR via the information in the candidate pack. 

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion 

We hold Disability Confident Employer status (Level 2) and are working towards full status by 2027. This means that if you're a disabled applicant and your CV and application answers clearly demonstrate that you meet the essential criteria for the role, we will invite you to interview. 

More broadly, we are committed to building a diverse team that reflects the communities and people we work with. We believe that diversity of background, experience and perspective makes us stronger and helps us make better decisions. We actively welcome applications from people who are under-represented in the charity sector, including people from Black, Asian and minoritised ethnic communities, disabled people, and those with experience of the issues our funded charities work to address. 

Key Dates 

Closing Date: Midday, Thursday 7th May 2026 

Optional Q&A Session: Wednesday 6th May 2026 at 09:00-10:00 

First Interview: Thursday 14th May 2026 

Second Interview: Tuesday 26th May 2026 

We are recruiting a Drugs Education Coordinator (Scotland), based in the Grampian region, to join our team. This role will involve the coordination of DSMF drug education in Scotland, working with the senior leadership team to develop provision regionally and more widely.

Suitable candidates will:

• be passionate about supporting young people to make safer choices about drugs and alcohol, with a good understanding of substance use and particularly its physiological, psychological and social impact
• have experience of project coordination, with excellent organisation skills
• be a skilled and effective communicator, both in writing and orally, with a wide range of people and agencies
• be proactive, self-motivated and confident to take initiative
• enjoy working remotely as part of a small and busy team

The Job description and person specification are available below. Please click 'How to apply' to view the application form.

Please share with anybody you think might be interested in joining our brilliant team!

Interviews are likely to be held the week beginning 11th May 2026.