Policy communications manager jobs

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Location: London, UK (Hybrid – 50% office attendance)

Summary Purpose - what you will be achieving:

The Policy Directorate brings together the Academy’s policy, analysis and external affairs functions to address major science and health policy issues in the UK and internationally. The Directorate works as a single, coordinated team, focusing resources on priority areas, applying strategic approaches, generating high-quality evidence and insights, and engaging effectively with government, stakeholders and partners to inform decision-making and influence policy.

You will lead and integrate the Academy’s external affairs function—spanning policy influence, parliamentary and government engagement, and sector engagement through FORUM—to strengthen our reach, visibility and impact.

By drawing on the Academy’s Fellowship, networks and reputation, you will ensure coherence across all external-facing policy activities and play a senior leadership role in delivering the Academy’s transformation priorities. You will position the Academy as an authoritative voice on medical science and health, and ensure that our external engagement is strategic, aligns with the wider organisation’s approach to stakeholder management, and strengthens our influence.

About the Role

Strategic leadership across external affairs

• Lead and integrate policy engagement and relationships to deliver a coherent external affairs strategy.
• Ensure alignment between external affairs activities related to policy and wider Academy strategic priorities (through COO).
• Provide strategic advice on public affairs opportunities, political risk, reputational management and external positioning.

Team leadership, governance and performance

• Lead a unified external affairs team, embedding KPI-driven planning, performance management and evaluation.
• Build capability, progression pathways and consistent project management approaches within the team.
• Manage political risk on behalf of the Academy, ensuring effective governance, narrative discipline and coherent external messaging.
• Ensure cross-Academy planning and alignment between external affairs, policy development, policy analysis, communications and engagement functions.

Strategic programme and portfolio leadership

• Oversee priority influencing programmes, ensuring coherence, sequencing and impactful delivery.
• Provide external-facing leadership for high-profile programmes.
• Support cross-sector initiatives and commissions by providing strategic political insight and external influence.

Political, parliamentary and institutional influence

• Lead the Academy’s UK parliamentary and government engagement strategy, including select committee interactions, parliamentary briefings and relationship building with MPs, Peers and parliamentary staff.
• Position the Academy as an authoritative voice on medical science, policy priorities and the wider health system.
• Build and sustain high-level influencing relationships across parliament and political parties, national bodies, arm’s-length agencies, health systems and sector leaders.

FORUM and commercial

• Oversee and evolve the Academy’s FORUM to align with policy priorities and maximise its impact as a neutral, cross-sector convening space exploring scientific innovation, technological trends and strategic priorities shaping UK healthcare.
• Lead the transformation of FORUM into a leading UK convenor, including membership growth, securing contributions from organisations, and delivering at least six high-quality convenings per year.
• Contribute to income-generating initiatives within approved budgets and ensure external-facing activities support organisational sustainability.

Leadership within the organisation

• As a member of the Academy Leadership Team (Heads and Directors), contribute to organisational strategy, cultural development and the transformation programme.
• Provide senior leadership on organisational measurement, impact reporting and securing external funding.

Financial and governance responsibilities

• Oversee budgets associated with external affairs and related programmes.
• Ensure compliance with governance processes, financial controls and risk management.

Requirements

• Strong track record in public affairs, political strategy or policy influencing, with demonstrable success securing policy adoption and measurable outcomes.
• Experience leading communications, media or public-facing activity in a complex environment.
• Understanding of the UK science, research and public health landscape, including inequalities, national strategies and institutional dynamics.
• Proven experience managing teams, building capability and integrating multidisciplinary functions.

Benefits

We provide our staff with a comprehensive benefits package outlined as follows:

Competitive rewards

• Generous pension scheme with flexible contributions – we contribute between 8% - 13% of your gross salary (with employee contributions of 3% - 8%).
• Life assurance at three times your salary.

Work-life Balance

• Hybrid and agile working. 50% office attendance.
• 26 days annual leave, plus Christmas closure days and bank holidays.
• Buying and selling leave.
• Family-friendly policies including enhanced maternity and paternity leave (subject to a qualifying period).

Wellbeing and Development

• Complimentary subscriptions to Headspace and Classpass to support your physical and mental wellbeing.
• Support through tailored learning and development.

Additional Benefits

• A range of enhanced benefits become available once you’ve completed your probation period.

For more information and to apply, please visit our careers portal.

Closing date: 9:00am on Monday 22 June 2026.

Interviews will likely be held w/c 6 July 2026.

This is a critical role that is responsible for managing the charity's day-to-day people management and development, ensuring appropriate processes are in place and in line with current and relevant legislation. The People Manager will help develop a high-performance culture where all colleagues feel a sense of belonging and are able to fulfil their potential.

RESPONSIBILITIES & ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Provide proactive coaching on values alignment and desired behaviours, with support and advice to managers and team members        on    all matters relating to people.
• Support managers to create an inclusive culture and workplace that gets the best out of our people.
• Promote and advocate for early resolution when issues arise, including Performance Improvement guided by organisational values         and policies.
• Effectively manage employee relations (ER) issues alongside line managers including, but not limited to absences, performance             management, disciplinary, grievances and dismissals, escalating to the Director of People as required.
• Support the Director of People to deliver change management programmes including TUPE transfers, redundancy and service re-       organisations.
• Develop an understanding of challenges, opportunities and people priorities in each team and work with managers to develop long term resource plans and succession planning.
• Support the Director of People in the development of information, reports and analysis for managers, the Strategic Management Team and the Board, to deliver insights and take action.
• Work with the Finance Manager to ensure the accurate processing of payroll.
• Support the end-to-end recruitment process, including attraction, supporting with job descriptions, shortlisting, interviews and the induction process.
• Build and implement engagement processes and activities including surveys, focus groups, conferences/away days and exit interviews, ensuring they deliver continuous improvement and enhance our reputation as a great place to work.

ROLE

• Support the implementation of Belonging, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (BDE&I) and wellbeing strategies and programmes
• Support the Director of People with the development of reward and recognition programmes
• Support the Director of People in creating learning and development programmes
• Support with the management of the L&D budget and programme, ensuring effective return on investment and value for money.
• Manage the organisation’s people information systems and identify opportunities for enhanced digital services.
• Analyse data e.g., from engagement surveys, exit interviews and turnover to inform the People Strategy and implement improvements.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Experience

• Experience in managing, coaching and developing employees
• Degree in Organisational Psychology, HR, CIPD level 5 qualified or equivalent knowledge gained through experience
• Proven experience in managing the employee lifecycle (recruitment to exit)
• Adept at stakeholder management and relationship building across multiple teams
• Proven track record in managing varied, complex employee relations (ER) issues and capable of managing several issues at once
• Experience of planning and delivering L&D projects
• Experience of working successfully in a changing organisation where flexibility, agility and adaptability are essential.

Skills & knowledge

• Strong relationship building skills, you are equally comfortable having informal positive conversations as you are holding people to account and providing direct challenge
• Working knowledge of employment law, and able to use sound judgement on when we can be flexible and when we need to be rigid in our approach
• Confident in both written and spoken communication with the ability to present to internal audiences both virtually and in person
• High in emotional intelligence, psychological agility and a coaching mindset
• Highly numerate with strong analytical and problem-solving

Personal qualities

• Track record of delivering to tight deadlines and overcoming setbacks
• A focus on continuous process improvements through measurement, analysis and progress of actions in order to deliver service improvements
• Requirement to work at pace to respond to customer requirements whilst balancing key priorities
•  A focus on outstanding customer service excellence, high standards of attention to detail, quality, accuracy and responsiveness

Desirable criteria

• Experience in managing TUPE and redundancies

Before starting this position, you’ll need to undergo a criminal record check by the Disclosure and Barring Service. You must be entitled to work in the UK.

Healthwatch

Healthwatch was set up in 2013 to champion the rights of health and social care users, and hold the health and social care system to account for how well it engages with the public.

Healthwatch has a remit which covers all publicly funded health and social care services for adults and children.

The Advocacy Project delivers Healthwatch Brent, Healthwatch Westminster and Healthwatch Kensington & Chelsea – three of 152 local Healthwatch organisations. We’re building on the important work that’s been done to date, while bringing new insights from the voices of seldom heard and hard to hear groups.

About the role

In this role you will promote Healthwatch to local residents and stakeholders, and support people to get involved in our work. You’ll be a skilled communicator, comfortable networking and engaging with a diverse range of local residents. This role is primarily based in Westminster, and we’re looking for someone who can understand and relate to the diverse local population.

Your role will involve finding innovative ways to present the information the team gathers to key audiences. This will range from face-to-face conversations with partners and funders through to producing imaginative materials. This includes producing accessible reports and presentations to make sure we can maximise the impact of people’s feedback.

You’ll be responsible for a variety of internal and external communications for the Healthwatch Westminster producing impactful communications across all platforms including our website, social media channels and newsletter. You’ll also produce informative and engaging content for our websites, keeping it fresh and relevant for our diverse audiences.

As well as developing our online presence, you’ll own the Westminster engagement plan. This will involve identifying engagement opportunities, working with the Volunteer Coordinator to ensure we have good coverage at events across the borough, and getting out into the local community to promote our service and hear from local residents.

Working as part of a small team, you’ll be involved in many aspects of the organisation. You’ll need to be flexible, with a ‘can do’ attitude to meet the evolving needs of the service. You will need to work in close collaboration with our other Healthwatch services in Kensington & Chelsea and Brent, and occasionally support communications and engagement in those areas when the need arises.

Key responsibilities

Engagement

î  Develop a vibrant engagement plan for Healthwatch Kensington & Chelsea, ensuring that we reach a wide range of residents from different communities, with an emphasis on those most likely to experience poor health outcomes.

î  Develop effective relationships with local voluntary organisations and community groups to promote the Healthwatch service and carry out engagement activities and signposting sessions.

î  Practice culturally responsive engagement, demonstrating the ability to communicate and effectively interact with people across cultures with diverse protected characteristics, whilst maintaining openness and showing respect to people who have a different social or cultural background to your own.

î  Keep abreast of good engagement practice and actively seek out innovative ways to capture and express people’s views/experiences, including engagement techniques appropriate to different audiences.

î  Work in partnership with local community groups to support engagement in projects, including coproduction and joint communications.

î  Take a lead role in making sure all Healthwatch Kensington & Chelsea activities involve people from all sections of the community, including seldom-heard communities.

î  Work closely with the Volunteer Coordinator to ensure that volunteers are able to participate in engagement plans.

Communications

î  Create engaging and up-to-date digital media content across all digital channels, including web content, Twitter and Facebook.

î  Create regular newsletters and e-bulletins, circulating these to key stakeholders to support engagement.

î  Design reports, presentations and stationery templates for the Healthwatch service, making sure all materials keep to the Healthwatch brand guidelines.

î  Answer and respond appropriately to calls about the service, seeking guidance from the team where appropriate to give signposting support via phone and email.

î  Keep up to date with best practice from Healthwatch England, by reading, attending courses and networking.

î  Carry out any other tasks needed for the service to run smoothly, as directed by the Healthwatch Manager.

General responsibilities

î  Participate in team meetings, training and organisational development.

î  Contribute to monitoring reports.

î  Keep to our policies, including health & safety, safeguarding and risk regulations.

î  Work to our mission, vision, and values.

î  Work flexibly to meet the needs of the service, in line with the changing local and national landscape and carry out other projects and tasks as needed.

Person specification

Essential

î  Good understanding of the NHS / social care, in particular the importance of patient voice and engagement for improving and developing services

î  Experience of carrying out community engagement

î  Experience producing communication materials for a variety of channels and audiences

î  Experience of working with diverse communities, particularly in Kensington & Chelsea/ North West London

î  Good understanding of health inequality and the role Healthwatch can play in reducing this.

î  Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively with a wide variety of stakeholders ranging from local residents, colleagues, partners, trustees and commissioners.

î  Excellent organisational skills, ability to take initiative and plan your own workload.

î  Commitment to working within The Advocacy Project and Healthwatch code of conduct, equality and safeguarding policies.

î  Willingness to attend further training and to adopt new procedures.

î  Willingness to promote Healthwatch and The Advocacy Project in line with our mission, vision and values

Desirable

î  Evidence of ongoing personal development and training related to the role.

î  Previous experience of working within a Healthwatch service.

î  Experience of creating visual content such as digital graphics or video.

Benefits of working for us

We’re committed to providing an empowering, flexible and supportive working environment for all our staff.

Our employee benefits include 30 days annual leave (including up to 3 days between Christmas and New Year), participation in a pension scheme with 6% employer contribution, access to a free confidential counselling service, and an interest-free travel/bike loan.

All our staff are supported to learn and develop in a variety of ways, including a monthly lecture series where we invite sector experts to talk to our staff on topical issues.

We are a Disability Confident Committed and Mindful Employer.

Salary: Grade C - £35,860 to £39,429

Hours: 37 hours per week. We also welcome applications from candidates seeking part-time working and are open to discussing how the role can be structured to support this.

Location: The Union, Manchester Metropolitan University

Eligibility: Eligible to work in the UK

This is a brilliant opportunity for someone who thrives on momentum, clarity and making things happen. As Project Manager (Policy), you’ll be right at the centre of The Union’s student voice work: turning insight into actions and ideas into real change. You’ll manage the day‑to‑day running of the student voice programme, keeping plates spinning, projects moving and people aligned. Whether that’s planning meetings, tracking actions, managing risks or turning priorities into clearly scoped, outcome‑focused projects. If you love bringing order to complexity and enjoy seeing plans come to life, you’ll feel right at home.

We’re looking for someone who is:

• Highly organised, with strong project management skills and attention to detail
• Confident managing multiple priorities and keeping complex workstreams moving
• Skilled at turning insight into clear, actionable plans
• An excellent communicator, able to produce concise and compelling briefings
• Collaborative and relationship-focused, with the ability to work across teams and with partners
• Curious, proactive and motivated to make a real difference for students

Why join us?

• Be part of a purpose-driven organisation at the centre of student life
• Work in a role where your impact is visible and meaningful
• Collaborate with passionate colleagues and student leaders
• Enjoy variety, autonomy and opportunities to shape how we work

Closing Date: 9:00am Thursday 18th June 2026

Interview Date: Tuesday 30th June or Wednesday 1st July

Reporting to: Associate Director, Policy and Impact

Location: Central London / Hybrid working (twice a week in the office)

Salary Range: £56,500 - £58,500

Length of Contract: 12 Months

We are the national body for careers education in England, delivering support to schools and colleges to deliver modern, 21st century careers education.

The Careers & Enterprise Company (CEC) is a great place to work. We operate within a fast-paced and collaborative environment. We are brought together by one thing: our passion to ensure young people get the best possible start in life and are supported to find their best next step.

Do you want to be part of a mission-driven team focused on transforming young people’s lives? If so, we’d love to hear from you!

Role Summary

The relationship between careers education and broader education, skills and socio-economic policy remains vitally important. The Senior Policy Manager will report to the Associate Director, Policy and Impact and play a key role in: 

• Leading and contributing to policy and strategy that support CEC’s strategic objective to influence on behalf of careers education to help every young person find their best next step.

• Influencing CEC’s policy response to government priorities related CEC’s agenda including in education reform, NEET prevention, raising awareness and supporting take-up of vocational and technical options, and supporting young people with additional needs. 

The post holder will:

• Bring together evidence from a range of sources and turn complex information into clear, structured advice and options to create evidence-based policy positions.

• Offer knowledge and experience of areas related to CEC’s work, including intersection with education, skills and youth employment.

• Be a highly effective writer with experience of leading on high impact reports and responses to inquiries and consultations.

• Confidently develop strong, supportive relationships with Whitehall policy makers and peers across the sector.

• Help connect policy development to corporate affairs and strategic communications to ensure that CEC can amplify great practice and insight to drive impact for young people.

The post sits within the Policy & Impact team as part of CEC’s Strategy & Communications directorate.

Key Responsibilities:

Support CEC representation at senior levels externally.

Develop CEC’s policy and impact positions, ensuring accuracy and fair representation of progress and opportunities within the careers system, with a focus on:

• Evidence – Filling evidence gaps and understanding of what works, working closely with impact and insight colleagues to analyse and present evidence.

• Influence – Shaping coherent, innovative, high quality and connected solutions to government priorities which amplify and embed the infrastructure and role of CEC.

• Proactive coordination – Leading internal and external efforts to identify opportunities and connect programmes and projects to amplify CEC’s mission, for example on NEET prevention or skills pipelines.

Essential Criteria (see job description):

1. Demonstrable skills at converting policy to impact including proven experience of working on strategic implementation of skills policy and good practice in education engagement.

1. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills including building effective relationships and excellent writing skills.

1. Sound programme and project management skills: proactive, organised and able to run effective policy development processes, with clear outcomes.

TO APPLY: Please complete the online application form, on our website, including a copy of your most recent CV, removing any personal details (i.e. name, DOB, address) and a report or publication you have led on, highlighting how you used evidence to inform policy.

For more information and to apply, visit our website via the ‘apply’ button.

Closing date: 28th June 2026

*PLEASE NOTE THAT WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO CLOSE THIS ADVERT EARLY SHOULD WE RECEIVE SUITABLE APPLICATIONS* 

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion 

At the Careers and Enterprise Company (CEC) we are committed to fostering a culture of belonging. We know that engagement at work relies on feeling included and valued. Inclusion is both a choice and a practice, for us as an organisation and for individuals within our team. We aim to drive inclusion through every aspect of our work and we understand that diverse teams are essential for innovative careers education and are central to our mission and impact. CEC values the visible and invisible qualities that makes each member of our team who they are. We are a disability confident employer and if you need any help or support through the application process, please contact the HR team and details can be found on our website.

1. JOB TITLE: Communications officer 

Contract: e.g. Two-year fixed term

Location: York/ hybrid (in office attendance once or twice a week) 

Salary range: £47,814 BAND B1 

2. MAIN PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF THE JOB 

The communications officer is responsible for the consistent, day-to-day delivery of internal and external communications that convey JRCT’s mission and priorities and support the work of the people and organisations we fund. 

The focus of this role is delivery of our communications. You will be reliable and skilled, taking ownership of work that keeps our communications running smoothly - producing high-quality content, handling our social media presence, maintaining our website, and delivering our newsletters. You will bring creativity and flair to your communications, knowing when to inform and when to engage and finding the right tone for different audiences and channels. 

You will work independently on routine tasks while contributing thoughtfully to wider projects. 

3. POSITION IN ORGANISATION 

Reports to: Head of Communications 

Responsible for: n/a 

4. DUTIES AND KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

4.1 Content creation and storytelling 

• Create, edit, and produce high-quality written and digital content, including news pieces, case studies, and multimedia materials, ensuring all messaging is clear, consistent, and reflective of our mission and values across all channels 

• Partner with grant holders to develop case studies, quotes, and materials that reflect their voice and perspective 

• Actively amplify the work of grant holders, identifying opportunities to showcase their voices, expertise, and learning 

• Maintain and develop content, including sourcing images and writing copy for our website and reports, and assist with site refreshes. 

• Work with colleagues to ensure JRCT’s learning is translated and shared in accessible, meaningful terms 

• Design, compile, and write external newsletters 

4.2  Social media and digital engagement 

• Run our social media accounts day-to-day, including monitoring, scheduling, and creating engaging posts 

• Produce design-led assets and infographics using Canva or similar tools 

• Maintain and grow social media presence, sharing news from grant holders and JRCT 

• Research peer digital content and stay updated on social media trends 

• Monitor and analyse web and social media performance to evaluate and refine approach 

4.3  Internal communications and administration 

• Work with the head of communications to deliver internal communications, including updates, newsletters, and intranet content 

• Complete administrative tasks to regularly maintain and update digital resources in compliance with GDPR guidelines, including social media lists, website, image library, and newsletter mailing lists 

• Contribute to the ongoing development of the communications and engagement strategy, and assist with projects such as brand work and website redesign as they arise 

5. General Responsibilities

• Work constructively with administrative and communications colleagues, offering guidance and support where appropriate 

• Work at all times within the values, mission, and charitable purposes of JRCT 

• Be proactive in keeping up to date with developments affecting your work, including the social and political environment JRCT grant holders are working in 

• Take direction on projects and priorities from your line manager and carry out other associated duties as may arise or be assigned 

• Participate in effective collaborative working with other teams across JRCT 

• Prepare for and participate in appraisal meetings and engage constructively with colleagues 

• Work to administration and communication protocols efficiently to ensure organisational systems and procedures are implemented 

• Abide by all organisational policies, codes of conduct, and practice 

• Support diversity and equality of opportunity in the workplace. 

We are looking for someone with the confidence to step into an established, successful system and keep our momentum going. You will be a brilliant relationship builder, an organised manager of data and pipelines, and an excellent communicator who can write compelling narratives. Above all, you will be someone who collaborates naturally across a small, passionate team to champion a healthy culture of impact storytelling and income generation.This is a 12-month maternity cover, 

You will have:

• A track record in Trust & Grant success: pulling together compelling data and case studies to write winning bids for large-scale grants.

• Exceptional written skills for drafting persuasive proposals and impact reports.

• A love of data to oversee our fundraising pipeline using our CRM (Beacon),  working with organised spreadsheets, and clear, achievable timelines.

• The ability to support others to succeed and feel confident managing a direct report or mentoring colleagues on how to spot fundraising opportunities.

• The ability to balance the day-to-day writing tasks with big-picture financial targets .

• The ability to balance competing priorities in a fast-paced, small charity environment.

• A willingness to travel nationally and work occasional evenings or weekends as required for key events and funder engagement (claimable as TOIL).

• A genuine commitment to climate action and democratic engagement with grassroots communities.

It would be great if you also have:

• Experience supporting corporate partnerships or earned/consultancy income streams.

• Familiarity with Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) frameworks.

• An understanding of UK climate policy, nature campaigning, or the UK political system.

Job Title: Fundraising Manager (Maternity Cover)

• Salary: £34,937.60 per annum (£27,950.08 pro-rata)

• Hours: Part-time (28 hours per week)

• Contract Type: 12-month fixed term (Maternity Cover)

• Location:  Remote anywhere in the UK (or Sheffield Head Office/Hybrid working)

• Benefits: 30 days annual leave (pro-rata) + bank holidays, pension, wellbeing support.

• Closing Date: 13 July 2026 | Interviews: w/c 20 July 2026

The Role

Your core focus will balance bid writing with strategy and comms management:

• Securing Income: Crafting and submitting high-quality, persuasive trust and grant applications (targeting five- and six-figure funding) and managing timely reports back to our current partners.

• Managing the Pipeline: Working closely with the CEO to track our fundraising goals, manage cash flow awareness, and keep our CRM system (Beacon) up to date.

• Supporting Earned Income: Helping to streamline the internal processes behind our paid consultancy and campaign training services, collaborating with our Policy & Engagement team to track leads.

• Leading People: Providing supportive, empowering line management to our part-time Digital Communications and Campaigns Coordinator.

• Looking Forward: As the contract nears its end, you will collaborate with the CEO to help us lay the groundwork for our next strategic fundraising cycle.

How to Apply

Please visit our website jobs page to submit your anonymised CV and cover letter.

Important Contract Notice: Please note that this is a temporary, fixed-term contract for 12 months to provide essential maternity cover. This is a non-permanent position.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

We warmly welcome applications from everyone and celebrate diversity across all backgrounds. If you don’t meet every single requirement listed below, please don't let that deter you, we would still love to hear from you.

At PHG, we’ve spent nearly 30 years turning complex science into practical health policy. We are now looking for a versatile Administration and Communications Officer to join our team. 

As Administration and Communications Officer you can expect to spend half your time supporting our external-facing communications activities, including, designing digital and print content and keeping our website up to date. From monitoring analytics to maintaining our house style, you’ll help ensure our policy perspectives reach the right people. The other half of your time will be spent ensuring our office and HR functions run smoothly. This includes essential HR admin (payroll, recruitment, and contracts), coordinating meetings and events, and managing our office facilities.   However, no two weeks are likely to be the same.

Who You Are

You’re someone who loves variety and doesn't mind switching gears from designing a newsletter to booking an external meeting in the same afternoon.

Our Ideal Candidate

• You have an eye for detail and enjoy using different software (e.g. Adobe Indesign, Canva) to create impactful content

• You’re proficient in Google/Microsoft and either know your way around CMS/CRM platforms or are excited to learn.

• You can juggle competing priorities without dropping standards or missing deadlines.

• You’re a team player who is self-motivated, professional, and ready to take the initiative.

This is a chance to work at the intersection of science and policy in a flexible, supportive environment. 

The PHG Foundation is a linked exempt charity of the University of Cambridge.

Head of Communications (Job Share)

Location: Remote

Salary: £19,160 - £21,424 per annum

Vacancy Type: Permanent

2–3 days per week (flexible, subject to agreement)

Please note that the salary has been calculated on a pro-rata basis, reflecting the role's two-day-per-week working pattern.

Join us - transform lives, change minds

We are a leading social justice charity supporting people to recover from addiction and leave behind crime - helping them move on in life with family, friends, jobs, homes, and a sense of belonging. Working in over 80 prison and community settings across England and Wales, we support more than 40,000 people each year to achieve lasting, transformational change.

Alongside frontline local delivery, we are driving change nationally - challenging stigma, influencing policy, and creating a society that believes in second chances and long-term recovery.

The opportunity

We are looking for an exceptional communications leader to join us in a job share Head of Communications role, working alongside an experienced colleague to shape and deliver a high-impact, organisation-wide communications strategy.

This is a unique opportunity to lead high-profile national campaigns, strengthen our voice across the media and digital landscape, and ensure our people - over 900 staff across the country, many with lived experience - remain connected, engaged, and inspired by our mission.

What you’ll lead

You will play a central role in amplifying our impact and growing our influence, including:

• • National campaigns and public engagement — including our flagship Taking Action on Addiction campaign and Addiction Awareness Week, supported by our Royal Patron, HRH Princess of Wales, reaching millions each year
  • Media and profile-building — securing high-quality coverage, managing relationships with press, ambassadors, and influencers, including Lily Allen, Alasdair Campbell and many others
  • Audience growth and supporter engagement — expanding our network of donors, partners, and advocates
  • Digital and content strategy — driving a multi-platform approach that positions us as a thought leader in our field and also helps us reach the people who most need our support
  • Internal communications and culture — ensuring our 900+ staff feel informed, connected, and part of a shared purpose
  • Team leadership — jointly leading a skilled communications team and working closely with senior leaders, including our Chair, Tony Adams OBE, the CEO and Executive Team and Trustees.

Why this role matters

This role sits at the heart of how we influence change - shaping how we tell our story, how we reach people who need support, and how we mobilise public and political will.

You’ll help ensure our communications are not only compelling, but impactful - supporting service delivery, influencing systems, and ultimately helping more people rebuild their lives.

Who we’re looking for

We want a dynamic, values-driven communications professional who can operate both strategically and ‘hands-on’. You will:

• Bring a strong track record across PR, campaigns, digital, and internal communications
• Be confident leading complex, multi-channel communications activity
• Experience navigating complex organisational environments with diverse operational and service functions.
• Have experience translating organisational mission into clear, engaging messaging for diverse audiences
• Be a collaborative leader, comfortable working in a job share arrangement and across senior teams
• Combine creativity with delivery—able to move from strategy to execution at pace
• Bring a strategic and pragmatic approach to marketing, with strong attention to brand consistency and discipline.
• Be passionate about social justice and motivated by real-world impact

What we offer

• A high-profile, purpose-driven leadership role
• Flexibility through a supportive job share model
• The opportunity to shape national conversations and influence change
• A collaborative and ambitious organisation committed to growth and innovation
• A generous benefits package

If you’re ready to use your communications expertise to drive real social change, we’d love to hear from you.

About Us

We are The Forward Trust, the social enterprise with charitable status that empowers people to break the often interlinked cycles of crime and addiction to move forward with their lives. For more than 25 years we have been working with people to build positive and productive lives, whatever their past. We believe that anyone is capable of lasting change. Our services have supported thousands of people to make positive changes and build productive lives with a job, family, friends and a sense of community.

To Apply

If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for Forward Trust, please click apply to be redirected to our website to complete your application.

This role requires that you are resident and have the right to work in the UK.

About NEON  

NEON is a not-for-profit organisation that exists to help social justice movements win. We build capacity and infrastructure to accelerate the transition to a new economy. We work across a wide range of progressive issues including climate, housing, healthcare and migration. Across our three hubs (movement building, communications and operations) we support a network of over 1000 movement organisations working towards political and social justice in the UK. 

This role is anchored within NEON’s Comms Hub. Established 10 years ago, the Comms Hub is a powerful, effective, pillar of the UK’s progressive communications infrastructure. The Hub convenes, networks, and books progressive spokespeople into the media at scale (averaging 1,500-2,000 media bookings a year), produces clear, usable tested messaging guidance that cuts through, and trains comms professionals (around 500 people annually). Our team serves as a go-to resource for strategic comms advice and planning, and crisis-comms support for groups across the progressive movement. NEON’s Comms Hub is relied on by a wide-range of organisations: from grassroots campaigners to expert insiders.  The Comms Hub has five programmes, and Digital will be the sixth programme.

Read more about the structure of the Comms Hub here, before applying. 

Purpose of this role

The Head of Digital is an exciting new role at NEON. This role will be responsible for designing and running a flagship new digital programme, that will sit at the heart of NEON’s Communications Hub. The aim of the digital programme will be to help connect, strengthen and scale the UK’s progressive digital comms infrastructure. 

Right now, progressive movements are losing the "air game" to far-right voices who are effectively using podcasts, social media, new media platforms and smart, aggressive, experimental digital strategies to dominate and shape national debates. 

Working closely with our experienced Comms Hub team, and our trusted networks, this role is a unique opportunity to be part of building the digital comms networks, skills and strategies progressive movements need to take on the rising far right – and win. 

At NEON, that would mean: convening and co-ordinating communities of digital comms experts, creators, editors and strategists; designing and delivering effective targeted digital skills training that will build capacity and confidence; supporting our 24/7 spokesperson and media booking team by setting up effective clipping and distribution programmes; and identifying opportunities to collaborate with our partners to run high-impact reactive digital strategies that shift the conversation. 

What you’ll be doing: 

The successful candidate will play an active role in shaping the strategy and focus of this programme, as well as the sequencing of the roll out of key workstreams. However, this role is likely to be anchored around the following key responsibilities. In this role, you will: 

1. Lead the strategy development and delivery of the new digital comms programme, alongside the Co-Directors of the Comms Hub.

2. Set up and manage a supportive, reactive social media unit within our existing Spokesperson Network, with the support of our Media and Messaging teams. This unit will clip interviews and create original content for our established network of spokespeople, and help to secure bookings in new digital-first media outlets. 

3. Work closely with the whole Comms Hub team, to design and convene a powerful co-ordinated network of progressive creators and influencers. Built from our existing spokesperson pool, as well as new networks, members of this digital creator network will be individuals with the backing of social movements and the reach, potential and positioning to shape the national debate. Together with the Heads of Messaging, Training and Media, you will help to provide this network with hands-on training and strategy support, evidence-based messaging, and traditional and new media booking opportunities. 

4. Design and oversee a strategic, effective suite of digital training offers, designed to upskill influential progressive spokespeople, movements and groups, at scale. This will include shaping our existing training programmes, as well as designing and developing new offers. This could include: a half-day follow-up to our flagship 3-day spokesperson training, a one-day digital strategy training for comms teams within our networks, and shaping our bespoke, issue-specific and crisis-focused trainings to support groups dealing with online-hate or abuse. This workstream will be supported by our Head of Training, relevant Comms Hub team members and delivered with the support of external consultant trainers. 

5. Identify opportunities to trial and run effective digital ‘experiments’ with partners and movement groups within the Comms Hub. For example, this could look like collaborating with a network of migrants-rights groups to create co-ordinated digital content to push-back against a far-right attack at a moment of ‘whirlwind’. Or spotting an opportunity to work with the Head of Messaging to trial a new AI-driven platform to A/B test messaging in targeted ads during a movement campaign on wealth taxes. 

6. Set up a network of consultants to support and deliver the core programme workstreams including: freelance videographers, editors, digital strategists and trainers. 

7. Provide on-going 1:1 support to our spokespeople and allied organisations, particularly during moments of crisis and ‘whirl-wind’.

8. Provide regular insights to our partners on the digital trends shaping public opinion and national discourse. 

9. Play an active role in the wider Comms Hub strategy and day-to-day operations, including attending our weekly strategy meetings,  feeding into key messaging and narrative development projects, and supporting delivery across the hub. 

10. Oversee and the digital programme’s finances and budget on a month-to-month basis, and the programmes’ Fundraising Strategy, with the support of the Co-Directors of Comms and the Head of Fundraising. 

11. Play an active part in the wider NEON team, contributing to organisation-wide plans. 

Who you are: 

You will be someone with:

• 5–10 years’ experience in digital comms, including developing and deploying a strategy for multi-year multi-project programmes of work

• A track record of creating innovative, high-impact digital campaigns and content that push forward a progressive agenda

• Hands-on experience of creating shareable and persuasive video and digital content, campaigns and strategies that cut through, reache new audiences at scale, mobilise movements and persuade new audiences of progressive ideas

• A strong understanding of digital media, and a natural enthusiasm for tracking and responding to new trends in a fast-changing digital media landscape 

• Someone who enjoys piloting new approaches, experimenting with new techniques and quickly jumping on opportunities to tell compelling progressive stories online.

• Experience developing the tone, positioning and personal brand of an organisation, spokesperson or individual online.

• A strong understanding of the news agenda – you’ll enjoy being plugged in to how online conversations are changing, and be able to quickly jump on opportunities to tell a compelling alternative progressive story. 

• Experience collaborating with creators, influencers, and a range of partners to deliver creative, hard-hitting campaigns, grow reach, drive action and really change minds

• A strong understanding of different audience types, and experience adapting messaging and using digital testing methods to assess impact and improve performance.

• Experience designing and running effective, inclusive training for diverse groups of people, with the ability to help others land powerful, shareable content too.

• Politically aware and motivated by progressive causes, with a commitment to centring anti-oppression in your work and helping ensure people — especially those from marginalised backgrounds — stay safe online and get their voices heard.

• Excellent team-working and relationship-building skills, with experience building networks, making connections and working across differences.

• Experience of fundraising, including building and maintaining funder relationships and making a compelling case for projects to a range of stakeholders.

We know that people from certain backgrounds and identities are often excluded in progressive movements and we’re committed to doing what we can to correct this. 

So:

1. We particularly welcome applications from marginalised groups, especially people of colour and other ethnic minorities, people who identify as LGBTQIA, Disabled people and those who identify as working class or have done so in the past.

2. We know the work goes way beyond "diversity", it's about making the space inclusive too. So we are continuously working on that at NEON. So far this includes tangible things like a flexible work policy so people have genuine flexibility around where and when they work and a 28 hour week as standard; a gender-neutral parenting/leave policy, an anti-oppression strategy which is held at senior level given how important it is to the organisation. It also includes the day-to-day work of creating psychological safety for everyone at NEON and celebrating the wisdom of black, indigenous, queer, Disabled and other cultures in the way we work and behave

There are no formal education requirements for this role. As long as you can show us you have the skills we don’t mind where you got them from! Also important to us is your potential to learn and grow in the role so even if you don’t have 100% of the skills listed we want to hear from you.

Dates: 

Application deadline: 28th June  2026, 11.59pm

Interview dates: First round of interviews: 8th & 9th July 2026, second round of interviews: 14th July 2026

Please visit our website for more details and to apply.

About FLEX

Focus on Labour Exploitation (FLEX) is a research, policy and practice organisation working towards an end to labour exploitation. FLEX seeks to achieve this vision through the prevention of labour abuses, protection of the rights of those affected or at risk of exploitation and by promoting best practice responses to labour exploitation through research and evidence-based advocacy. FLEX is a small organisation that packs a big punch in terms of policy change and influencing.

About the Role

As Communications Officer, you will play a central role in delivering FLEX’s communications strategy and ensuring communications activity supports the organisation’s strategic objectives. Working closely with colleagues across the organisation and with external stakeholders, you will develop engaging content, manage digital communications channels, strengthen the organisation’s profile, and support media and stakeholder engagement.

The role requires a proactive and organised communicator with strong writing, digital and project management skills who can adapt content for different audiences and platforms.

Job title: Communications Officer

Location: FLEX office, Vauxhall, London – currently operating flexible hybrid working with a mixture of in-person and remote working.

Salary: £34,840 per annum, pro rata, subject to deductions for ta and national insurance contributions as required by law.

Hours: 4 days per week (30 hours)

Contract: Permanent

Key Responsibilities

Content Creation

• Lead the delivery of FLEX’s communications strategy and ensure communications activity aligns with organisational priorities.
• Produce high-quality assets including blogs, newsletters, policy briefings, video scripts and case studies.
• Produce visual and multimedia content using design platforms such as InDesign or Canva.
• Develop audience-focused messaging and identify new and effective ways to communicate FLEX’s work and impact.

Social Media and Digital Engagement

• Manage and maintain FLEX’s website (Wordpress), ensuring content remains accurate, accessible and up to date.
• Day to day management of FLEX’s social media accounts, including monitoring, scheduling, and creating engaging posts 
• Track, analyse and report on communications performance across digital platforms.
• Conduct media and digital monitoring to identify emerging issues, trends and engagement opportunities.
• Support audience growth and engagement through digital communications planning and targeted outreach.

Branding and Internal Communications

• Act as FLEX’s brand guardian by ensuring that all messaging and visual assets adhere to brand guidelines, tone of voice and quality standards.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation to coordinate communications activity and maintain a communications schedule.
• Support strategic communications planning for organisational priorities.

Media Relations and External Engagement

• Act as a first point of contact for media enquiries in line with FLEX’s press protocols.
• Liaise with external partners, stakeholders and contractors on communications-related activity.
• Coordinate the dissemination of FLEX reports and briefings.
• Provide background briefings and coordinate responses to press enquiries with relevant team members.
• Maintain confidentiality in line with Data Protection laws.
• Represent FLEX at external meetings, events and networks where appropriate.

Project Management and Reporting

• Plan, coordinate and deliver communications projects and activities against agreed objectives and deadlines.
• Manage relevant communications budgets and resources effectively.
• Implement monitoring and evaluation processes for communications activity.
• Produce reports on communications performance, learning and impact
• Support fundraising activity through contributing to donor reports and funding applications where relevant.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer, creating a culture where everyone can be themselves and thrive. This means we are committed to being an anti-racist, trans-inclusive, gender-equitable and intersectional organisation.

We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures. In particular, those who have lived experience of the immigration system or who identify as part of marginalised communities.

If you are disabled or become disabled, we encourage you to tell us about your condition so that we can make reasonable adjustments and consider what support may be provided at the interview and task stage.

The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) are seeking an External Affairs Manager to promote and protect the interests of the speech and language therapy profession in the Welsh Parliament and government departments.

Who we are

The RCSLT is the professional body for speech and language therapists across the UK. The RCSLT has over 24,000 members and employs around 65 staff predominately based in a London office. The RCSLT has offices in London, Belfast, Edinburgh, and Cardiff.

Our mission is to improve the lives of people with communication and swallowing needs by facilitating and promoting research, producing guidance, holding events, and influencing government. We aim to promote better education and training for speech and language therapists and provide information to our members and the public about speech and language therapy.

The role

We are seeking a policy and public affairs leader to drive influence, advocacy and campaigning in Wales. This high-profile role will represent the organisation at senior levels, engaging with Ministers, Members of the Senedd (MSs), officials and the media to champion speech and language therapy and those with communication and swallowing needs. 

You will lead the development and delivery of policy and campaigning strategy, building cross-party relationships, shaping national campaigns and supporting members to influence both locally and nationally in English and Welsh. The role also involves planning impactful events, strengthening partnerships and acting as a key spokesperson on policy and legislative issues. 

Working closely with colleagues and stakeholders, you will oversee policy development and responses, ensuring emerging legislation and policy are effectively analysed, influenced and communicated. You will also play a central role in promoting the profession, supporting members and networks across Wales and representing the organisation at a senior level to advance its strategic goals.

What we are looking for

We’re looking for a confident policy professional with strong political awareness and a passion for influencing change. Welsh speaking is desirable however not essential. The successful candidate will bring a strong understanding of health, social care and education policy, alongside knowledge of political processes, particularly within the Welsh Parliament and Government and an appreciation of the role of a professional body. 

The ideal candidate will have experience of influencing policy in health, education or social care, with a proven track record in lobbying or campaigning at local or national level. You will be skilled in developing policy initiatives from research, evidence and practice, and communicating complex findings to a wide range of audiences. The successful candidate will be an effective communicator and influencer, confident in advising civil servants and politicians on sensitive matters and capable of leading or contributing to projects across a complex organisation. 
 

What we can offer you

• A competitive starting salary
• Generous annual leave entitlement 
• Excellent staff training and development opportunities
• Supportive and flexible working environment including, hybrid working arrangements
• Generous Pension scheme
• Life insurance cover 
• Season Ticket Loan scheme
• Eye care voucher scheme 
• Family friendly employer including enhanced maternity and paternity leave 
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Access to an Employee Assistance Programme and more!

How to apply

Should you wish to discuss the role in strict confidence, or for more details about the role, please contact the HR Team by email.

For more information and to apply, please visit our vacancies page. Applications must be written in English. 

Closing date: 9.00am on Thursday, 18 June 2026.

Interview date: Tuesday, 30 June 2026 (in our Cardiff Office - CF11 9SD).

There will be a task that will be needed to be completed prior to the interview which will be shared with shortlisted candidates. Some interview questions will need to be answered in Welsh. 

Please note, we can only accept applications from those who have working rights in the UK, we cannot offer sponsorship for this role.  

We are committed to a fair, transparent, and inclusive recruitment process. All applications are handled with strict confidentiality to protect your privacy and encourage openness throughout the process. 
 
The RCSLT is committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. We aim to embed equity, diversity, and belonging practices throughout our recruitment and selection procedures. We strive to ensure everyone is valued equally for their contribution, experience, knowledge, and skills. We welcome applications from candidates of all different backgrounds.

Come help place membership at the heart of a profession that changes lives.

Location: London Bridge, London (hybrid working with an expectation of two days per week in the office)

Applications close: 9 a.m. Thursday 25th June 2026

About us

The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) is the professional body for over 24,000 speech and language therapists, support workers and students across the UK. As we begin developing our next organisational strategy, we are creating a stronger, member-centred, and impactful approach to membership, communications, engagement, and digital content. We are seeking an exceptional and strategic leader to join our executive team. You will help shape the future of our membership and communications, while strengthening our influence across the health and care landscape.

About the role

Reporting to the Chief Executive, this newly configured executive team role brings together membership, communications, digital products, content and events engagement within a single directorate. Membership sits at the heart of our future ambitions. We have recently brought together a previously fragmented membership function and are building a dedicated membership and communications team to strengthen how we engage, support and retain members throughout their careers. You will play a central role in shaping our next strategic plan and ensuring that member insight, experience and value remain at the centre of organisational decision-making.

Working alongside a strong team of communications and engagement, digital, and membership, you will:

• Lead the development of an integrated membership and communications strategy.
• Strengthen the member value proposition and member journey.
• Drive member engagement, retention and growth.
• Bring membership, communications and digital teams together around shared objectives.
• Oversee communications, media and reputation management activity.
• Ensure RCSLT remains an influential voice across the health and care sector.
• Contribute as a key member of a collaborative and ambitious executive team.

 About you

You will bring substantial experience from a membership body, professional association, Royal College, charity or similarly complex organisation. Most importantly, you will understand how to build meaningful relationships with members and create a compelling membership experience. You may already be operating at Director level, or you may be a senior Head of Membership, Engagement, Communications or a related function looking for your first Executive Team appointment.

We are particularly interested in candidates who can demonstrate:

• Strong experience of membership strategy, engagement and growth.
• Leadership of multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience overseeing communications, marketing, digital or engagement functions.
• The ability to lead organisational change and bring teams together.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Strategic thinking combined with practical delivery.
• A commitment to equity, diversity and belonging.
• Experience within healthcare, professional regulation or a related sector would be beneficial.

This is a rare opportunity to join RCSLT at a pivotal moment. You will help shape our next organisational strategy from the outset, lead a newly integrated directorate, and play a key role in strengthening the experience of our members while supporting a profession that improves lives every day.

Please click on the link to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you will find full details of the role and how to apply.

Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Thursday 25th June 2026.

Prospectus are delighted to be partnering with a leading professional membership organisation to recruit a Head of Policy and Public Affairs into a high profile, strategically critical role. At a time when the UK is rethinking regulation and governance, this is a rare opportunity to shape national debate, ensuring expert insight cuts through with government, regulators, parliament and the media. Sitting at the heart of the organisation’s external voice, you’ll drive influence, raise profile and position the organisation as a trusted authority on risk, governance and organisational resilience.

In this role, you will develop and deliver an insight-led advocacy strategy, setting clear policy priorities and shaping positions on complex regulatory issues. You’ll provide senior leadership with high quality briefings and strategic advice, translating emerging policy developments into clear organisational responses and opportunities to influence.

A core focus will be external engagement.  Building strong relationships with parliamentarians, government departments, regulators and industry bodies, while acting as a visible and credible spokesperson. You’ll also lead media engagement, identifying opportunities to secure national and trade coverage, and ensuring the organisation has a strong, consistent voice across public, policy and media debates. Alongside this, you will lead and develop a small team and oversee the delivery of impactful advocacy campaigns.

We’re looking for a confident and credible policy and public affairs professional with experience influencing government, regulators and the media. You’ll bring strong policy development skills, excellent communication and the ability to navigate complex, high-profile environments. Comfortable operating both strategically and hands on, you may come from a professional body, regulator, government, consultancy or think tank background, and will be motivated by the opportunity to take on a visible role with real influence.

Please apply in the first instance and we will contact suitable candidates for further conversations. 

At Prospectus we invest in your journey as a candidate and are committed to supporting you with your application. We welcome all candidates to apply, regardless of age, sex/gender, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, marital status or pregnancy/maternity. If you have any disability and require reasonable adjustment/s to any part of the process, then please contact Steven Fraser at Prospectus.