The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is the charity that helps young people build lifelong belief in themselves, supporting them to take on their own challenges, follow their passions, and discover talents they never knew they had. Because when you prove to yourself that you’re ready for anything, nothing can hold you back.
Young people want to create a better future. With your help, they can.
Do you have the comms vision to keep DofE relevant, engaging and inspiring for young people? Can you tell our story in ways that resonate with different audiences? Are you a universally respected and respectful team leader? If so, we’d love you to apply to become our Head of Communications.
You will be responsible for delivering on shared strategic goals through compelling communications, externally and across our network of participants, staff, volunteers and organisations which offer the DofE. You’ll amplify the voices of young people, support relationships with funders and other partners, and continually promote the charity’s influence, reputation and brand profile.
The Head of Communications is one of two senior leadership roles in a wider Engagement team, which in December 2024 won Team of Year in the prestigious CharityComms Inspiring Communicator Awards. Working in partnership with our Head of Brand Marketing, you’ll build on that success, bringing a collaborative approach as we evolve our objectives and ways of working. You’ll play a key role as we mark DofE’s 70th birthday in 2026, then pivot to a new organisational strategy for 2026-31.
Critically, you will lead and shape the engagement of our network of almost 5,000 licensed organisations, 38,000 amazing volunteers and more than half a million participants, working closely with senior Operations colleagues. You’ll oversee staff communications, media and PR, and lead on corporate and crisis comms. Members of your team deliver our Youth Ambassadors programme and crucial support for DofE’s Fundraising and External Affairs.
We’re looking for someone who is versatile – able to switch between the big picture and the detail, with antennae equally alert to risks and opportunities. You’ll be an accomplished diplomat and influencer, with an ability to spot and make connections within and beyond the team. Given the breadth of the role, the successful candidate would ideally bring prior experience of different elements of the brief, together with proven experience of team leadership.
How to apply:
If you are excited about the prospect of working for the DofE and believe you have the desired skills and experience to make a real success of this role, then we are keen to hear from you.
If you would like to access the application form in a different format or if would like any assistance that might help improve your experience while completing the application, please contact us.
- Applications will close on: Sunday 18th May – Midnight
- 1st Interviews will take place: 13th and 16th June (to be held virtually via MS Teams)
- 2nd Interview will take place: WC 23rd June (interview will be in-person at the London Office)
The DofE are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people. All successful applicants will be required to undergo a Basic Disclosure and Barring Service check. (e.g. DBS/PVG or similar), including references covering any gaps of employment/education, confirm eligibility to work in the UK and complete a health check.
**The geographical allowance is based on a member of staff having a home or office-based postcode within 30 miles (as the crow flies) from Charing Cross, WC2N 5HS. The allowance is 7% capped at £4,000 per annum.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Salary: Grade 4 - £34,085 per annum
Full time: 37.5 hours per week
Location: Flexible with travel as required to deliver training – frequency will vary
Contract: Permanent
Closing date: Sunday 18th May 2025 at 11.30pm
Do you have a good understanding of housing law and proven experience of preparing, planning and delivering training courses to individuals and groups, online and face to face? We are looking for a Trainer and you could soon be helping us to help better support professionals and their clients with housing problems.
About the Role
You will deliver training to a variety of external customers, focussing on housing and homelessness. The overall aim will be to support capacity and capability of the housing and homelessness sector to achieve better outcomes. You will need to keep your knowledge up to date and contribute the insights you gain from training delivery and observing our front-line services to develop existing and new courses, ensuring excellent quality and positive feedback. Also, you will participate in consultancy and mystery shopping as needed.
About you
To succeed, you will need experience of delivering and developing training courses which are engaging and interactive, along with a strong understanding of housing and homelessness law. You will also have a sound knowledge of IT tools such as webinar and e-learning platform and Microsoft applications. The role will involve travel to deliver training as needed.
Benefits
We offer a wide range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave, enhanced family friendly policies, pension and interest free travel loans. Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, payroll giving, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme.
About the team
You will be joining a multi-disciplinary team that delivers a range of second tier services to support those on the frontline to achieve positive outcomes for people with housing problems. These include training in housing and homeless prevention, housing law consultancy advice, housing debt casework, information and online resources and various targeted projects. We are a national team and work in conjunction with the wider organisation including Legal Services, Learning and Development, Business Support, Telephone and Online services and Operations teams.
About Shelter
Home is a human right. It’s our foundation and where we thrive. Yet every day millions of people are being devastated by the housing emergency.
We exist to defend the right to a safe home. Because home is everything.
We need ambitious, passionate people to join us. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve.
Our enemy is the social injustice at the core of the escalating housing emergency. To win this fight, we must be representative of the people we are here to help and those who support our movement. In all our people decisions, we take pride in being inclusive, equitable and transparent. We are committed to combating racism both within and outside Shelter. We welcome you on our journey to becoming truly anti-racist.
How to apply
Please click ‘Apply for Job’ below. You are required to submit a CV and responses to the ‘About You’ section of the job description of no more than 350 words each.
Please provide specific examples following the STAR format and ensure you demonstrate how you address the behaviour below throughout your responses:
- We prioritise diversity and have an inclusive and open mindset
Any applications submitted without a supporting statement will not be considered
Safeguarding Statement
Safeguarding is everyone's business. Shelter is committed to protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. All our staff will be expected to observe professional standards of behaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies.
Recruitment Agencies
Shelter does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.