Policy and advocacy manager jobs in northern region, uganda

Population Matters is a growing UK charity with a global remit. We are a dedicated small organisation of individuals who has big ambitions. We adopt a can-do approach and belief to implementing our vision - a world in which our human population lives fairly and sustainably with nature and each other.

Through collaboration, creativity and commitment our work addresses the negative consequences of ever more people using ever more of the planet’s resources.  We do this by inspiring and engaging with others to find, share and promote ways to make our vision a reality as quickly as possible.

We have recently launched our 5-year strategy, and we have now entered an exciting new phase of growth and influence.

About You: The Role

• You are someone who can adeptly apply your hands-on experience gained from designing and implementing impactful communication strategies.
• You bring tenacity, curiosity and passion in designing and delivering digital campaigns that influence and shift public and media narratives to enable our human population to live fairly and sustainably with nature and each other.
• With always this end in sight, your management experience of digital mass communications, platforms and presences will ensure digital communications, campaigning and fundraising is fully leveraged through applying continuous monitoring, evaluation, learning, accountability and innovation.
• You will be responsible for our content strategy across all digital channels and play a lead role in the design and delivery of communication strategies and assets.
• You bring  significant knowledge and experience of digital communications, marketing, infrastructure and project management, and ensure that our digital communications inspire and engage audiences to support our mission.

For further information, please refer to the attachement below. We look forward to hearing from you! 

Benefits: 25 days’ annual leave per annum; additional three days’ closure over Christmas; employer pension contribution 6-8%, employee matching contribution min. 2%; Employee Assistance Programme; we fund and encourage continuing professional development (CPD).We promote and encourage flexible working all types, in line with our flexible working policy.

Location: Remote working in the UK, with occasional travel and access to our London office space. Must have right to work in the UK.

Interviews: There will be two rounds of interviews. The first interview will take place on Wednesday 11 June 2025 (virtual) and the second on Tuesday 17 June 2025 (in-person at our office in London).

Role: Healthcare Partnerships Lead

Hours:  22.5hr hrs per week, (3 days)

Location: Homebased within the UK with a requirement to travel and support in person events, conferences and meetings

Reporting to: Director of Programmes and Partnerships

Benefits: Flexible working arrangements, 28 days of annual leave (FTE) + 1 day for your birthday, pension scheme

Key relationships: Managing external relationships with key healthcare professionals and partners and working closely with our Medical Advisor and Information and Research Manager

Salary: £38,000 per annum (FTE)

Essential: Access to own car and full clean driving licence

About The Role

Do you have experience in working collaboratively, establishing meaningful partnerships within the healthcare sector and are looking to make an impact at the world’s leading multiple sclerosis healthy lifestyle charity?

We’re looking for an experienced Healthcare Partnerships Lead to continue to steer the delivery of our Healthcare Engagement Strategy and build upon our Program expertise. With a strong focus on reducing health inequalities, you’ll lead, develop and deliver activities that meet our strategic ambition to ensure that as many people as possible understand that there is hope after an MS diagnosis.

We need to engage with healthcare professionals as, for many people with MS, this group are the first people they seek credible information from and will potentially have a life-long relationship with, given the incurable nature of the condition.

About Us

Overcoming MS is the world’s leading multiple sclerosis healthy lifestyle charity established in 2012. We are unique in our whole person approach and practical evidence-based focus upon self-management of MS, formulated as a holistic program. At Overcoming MS, we are here for everyone with MS who wants to take control of their health and wellbeing.

Although there is currently no cure for MS, we help people with MS to live well by making informed lifestyle choices. They have clear, practical actions to take, by following an evidence-based self-management program. This program uses substantial scientific evidence of how holistic self-care, alongside medical therapies, benefits people’s physical and mental health. Knowing people can change their risk of deterioration through lifestyle choices gives hope to us all.

Our vision is that people with MS feels empowered to take control of their health, are making informed lifestyle choices and living a full and healthy life.

Overcoming MS Strategy

Our strategy for 2024 to 2026 establishes five key objectives:

Raise awareness within the global MS community of the importance of healthy lifestyle and the Overcoming MS Program. 

Deliver world class information, tools and support to the Overcoming MS community, empowering them with the confidence and knowledge to follow, understand and share the Program, wherever they start.

Build the authority of Overcoming MS through developing team expertise, communicating the existing evidence base, building new evidence, and through influencing and working in partnerships. 

Grow a collaborative, knowledgeable, passionate and sustainable team of staff, facilitators and volunteers. 

Develop financial growth and independence through reducing our cost base, increasing fundraising via diversified activity, and generating income through other sources. 

Job Description

The Healthcare Partnerships Lead will be responsible for the delivery of our Healthcare Engagement Strategy, through the development and delivery of projects and activities which embrace collaboration, raise the profile and credibility of both the Overcoming MS charity and Program, and extend supported self- management of MS within the health and social sector. We want to be the go-to charity for lifestyle and living well with MS and to demonstrate the added value we bring through education, resources, community and partnership working.

The past 12 months have seen the laying of a strong foundation for both increasing credibility and collaboration. This has included identifying barriers to supporting self-management in MS, developing education, piloting projects and resources to overcome some of those barriers in partnership with healthcare professionals. Honing datasets and presenting these meaningfully, has added credibility and demonstrated value. We want to see that foundation built on further, and shared more widely, taken forward by the new Healthcare Partnerships Lead.

Key Responsibilities

· The successful delivery of the Healthcare Engagement Strategy, identifying and prioritising engagement with our key audiences and stakeholders.

· Working closely with both our Medical Advisor, Information and Research Manager (new role) and with the existing HCP Advisory Group and wider engaged healthcare partners, to facilitate the development of the relationship, profile and reach between the charity and the health and social care sectors. Around information sharing, service design, and understanding of the role of lifestyle in holistic management of MS.

· Identifying and attending key healthcare events and conferences, building networks, partnerships and other resources to increase knowledge and awareness of how the charity and Overcoming MS Program, benefits people with MS and maximise opportunities for signposting.

· Building frameworks for data gathering and evaluation to effectively review benefit of collaborative interventions and report outcomes widely and meaningfully, in partnership with the Information and Research Manager.

· Maintaining understanding of policy and priorities of healthcare agencies to ensure mutual or aligned priorities from both, in addition to people living with MS, are all factors taken into consideration when developing plans and pathways.

· Identifying opportunities for collaboration and partnership working through engagement with HCP professionals and organisations.

· Lead on healthcare education through our existing partnership with the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine, marketing the education widely, evaluating its benefit to HCPs and strategically reviewing the format, vehicle and content as appropriate.

· Providing clear, responsive and consistent educational content around the importance of lifestyle choices and behaviours to healthcare professionals based on the current evidence-base and the Overcoming MS Program, working closely with the Information & Research Manager to ensure up-to-date and validated content.

 Other Responsibilities

· Creating meaningful engagement with the MS community and healthcare professional partners, widening our reach to support more people with MS.

· Mapping local assets and services to target and test appropriate resources and support to MS clinics, to help HCPs share information and support their patients to self-manage, tracking success.

· Empowering people affected by MS and their healthcare professionals to discuss lifestyle modification and the Overcoming MS Program with confidence, improving self-management and health outcomes.

· Engaging new HCP audiences, reducing barriers and perceptions of lifestyle modification in the treatment of MS. 

· Leading on the delivery, monitoring and evaluation of key programmes, considering key insight, collecting and analysing data to measure impact against project and charity targets.

· Supporting the delivery of key products, services and events both in person and online that reach multiple audiences and budgeting accordingly.

· Identifying opportunities for accessing funding streams, working with Fundraising colleagues to diversify our income base.

· Raising our profile within the healthcare environment so that they recommend the charity and will advocate on our behalf.

· As we are a small, busy charity, all staff help with the general running of the organisation in addition to their specific role activities.

About you
Education or experience in a related field e.g. healthcare management, public health, you’ll have a strong understanding of the NHS, Public Health and the UK health care policy landscape. Knowledge of the global health care landscape would be an advantage but not essential.

You’ll have previous experience as a senior healthcare lead or similar role for example within the NHS or similar medical field or will have experience leading community or public health related engagement programmes.

With excellent communication, presentation and influencing skills, including working with stakeholders at very senior and professional levels, you’ll have strategic analytical skills, able to frame problems and solutions in a logical fashion and demonstrate a high degree of empathy and compassion for health-related issues.

You’ll have intellectual flexibility, able to embrace and deal with ambiguity, complexity and to be open to creativity in leading and bringing about effective change.

You are comfortable working remotely and attending events during evenings and weekends, with a full UK driving licence and access to a car.

What can we offer you?
Our staff benefits include:
• 28 days annual leave (FTE) plus a day off for your birthday and bank holidays
• Flexible working
• Remote working
• Pension
• Employee Assistance Programme

How to apply  

Please send your CV and a covering letter by midnight on Sunday 8th June.

In your covering letter, please let us know:  

• Your motivation for applying for the role

• Why you feel your skills are suitable for the role 

• Your notice period  

• Your current location.  

Please respond ASAP, as we will start screening candidates as soon as we receive applications.  

First stage interviews will be held online on Tuesday 17th June.

Second stage interviews will be held online on Friday 20th June.

We are an equal opportunities employer, committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We make hiring decisions based on merit. If you fill most or all the requirements, please apply.  

No agency contact, please.  

Location: Home based, with some travel to London and across UK

Direct Report: Reports to Head of Campaigns

Background: Research, policy, analysis, statistics 

Remuneration: £30,000 - £40,000 with 5% employer’s pension and 25 days holiday

Start date: July 2025

Term:  Full time (part-time may be considered), permanent position with 3 month probation period

We are River Action

At River Action, we’re on a mission to rescue Britain’s rivers from the devastating impact of agricultural, sewage, and industrial pollution. As a small but fast-moving organisation, we take bold action. We support grassroots movements, mobilise public opinion, influence government policy, and drive industry change to stop pollution at its source.

We’re looking for driven individuals who share our love for rivers and bring a creative, collaborative, and bold approach to campaigning blending sharp strategy with positively disruptive tactics that inspire real action.

If you want to be part of a movement making waves for cleaner, healthier rivers, we’d love to have you on board!

Who we are looking for

Are you passionate about using data to drive real change? Do you have the skills to turn complex information into compelling evidence that influences media, politics, legal action and public opinion? If so, we want you on our team.

We’re looking for a strategic, analytical and self-motivated individual who shares our passion for protecting rivers. You’ll play a key role in researching, analysing, and interpreting data and research to strengthen our campaigns, communications, and political advocacy work.

The ideal candidate will have:

• A sharp analytical mindset with strong research skills to uncover trends and opportunities for meaningful change.

• Excellent numerical and data interpretation skills, with the ability to translate complex information into clear, impactful messaging.

• Intelligent insight, with the ability to spot patterns in data to identify the evidence we need to inform powerful campaign strategies.

• A professional yet tenacious approach, confidently holding decision-makers and polluters accountable while working diplomatically to drive progress.

• The ability to proactively engage with and obtain information from others in academia, research, investigative journalism, industry, communities, government and activist groups. 

• The energy, creativity and strategic thinking to help amplify our impact.

If you thrive in a fast-paced, high-impact environment and want to be at the forefront of environmental policy and advocacy, we’d love to hear from you!

What you’ll be doing

As a Campaigns Analyst, you’ll play a crucial role in shaping River Action’s fight for cleaner rivers by transforming complex data and information into compelling narratives that influence public opinion, media coverage, political advocacy, and legal action.

Reporting to the Head of Campaigns, you’ll be at the heart of our evidence-based approach. You’ll be analysing government and industry data, uncovering insights, and equipping our team with the intelligence needed to challenge polluters, hold regulators accountable, and push for policy reform. 

Like a detective, you will be the person we rely on to seek out and identify the smoking gun - as well as to meticulously build out the pieces of the jigsaw - that demonstrates the malpractice, illegal behaviour or mismanagement of a water company, a factory farm or a failed regulator.

• Monitor government regulators and industry updates, tracking regulatory programmes, announcements, data, reports and other information.

• Develop and lead proactive data collection efforts including by making Freedom of Information (FOI) and Environmental Information Regulation (EIR) requests to inform and support campaigns, legal actions, investigations and communications.

• Plan, execute and report public opinion polls to gather insights that strengthen campaign messaging.

• Analyse and interpret complex data to uncover key insights that drive impactful campaigns and communications.

• Map and assess major campaign factors, including pollution sources, supply chains, regulatory frameworks and industry compliance.

• Investigate polluters, evaluating their legal obligations, governance structures, sustainability claims, environmental performance, finances and resource allocations.

• Investigate government regulators including the Environment Agency, Natural Resources Wales and Ofwat, analysing the performance of their monitoring, reporting and law enforcement duties.

• Maintain and update internal databases and fact sheets with the latest intelligence.

• Develop an in depth understanding of UK policy and legal frameworks relating to the regulation of rivers, and ensure colleagues are kept up to date with changes.

• Contribute towards River Action policy and advocacy work, ensuring our positions are underpinned by evidence and data.

• Ensure all River Action initiatives are evidence-based, current, and well-informed, and support colleagues requiring data and evidence for handling media opportunities.

• Research and propose solutions to environmental challenges, including technological advancements, regulatory changes, and financial incentives.

• Present research findings in clear, accessible reports that highlight environmental challenges and potential solutions.

• Produce compelling, data-driven reports and surveys for external publication, ensuring high engagement and impact.

• Collaborate with communications teams to translate complex data into visually engaging content for traditional and digital media.

• Provide accurate and up-to-date intelligence to strengthen campaign communications.

• Build partnerships with analysts, researchers, universities, think tanks, and third-sector organisations to collaborate on research and data-sharing initiatives.

• Manage relationships with external contractors, including researchers, polling firms, and academics, as needed.

• Support fundraising efforts by providing key data and insights for campaign and fundraising teams.

• Ensure all team members are well-briefed on the latest data and intelligence when engaging externally.

• Stay informed on advocacy, policy developments, and key relationships to strengthen research and analysis strategies.

• Contribute to shaping River Action’s position and key messaging to keep them fresh and relevant.

General

• Follow all charity policies.

• Actively participate as part of the team.

• Help to promote a positive, healthy and happy work environment and team culture.

• Attend and contribute to regular meetings.

• Work in accordance with the Data Protection Act.

• Be responsible for the health and safety of yourself and others at work.

• Undertake any other duties as reasonably required.

• Keep up-to-date with input from colleagues on related research, activities and policies.

As a small and agile team, we value flexibility. While these are the core responsibilities, staff may be asked to take on additional tasks as needed. If any task becomes a regular duty, the job description will be updated in consultation with the employee.

We are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.

River Action is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young and vulnerable people and expects all members of staff to share this commitment.

Location

You will work from home with some travel to meetings across the UK.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit to jobs at riveractionuk dot com with the subject ‘Campaigns Analysist’:

• your CV (max 2 pages), 

• a cover letter (max 2 pages) explaining why you want to work for River Action and how your skills and experience meet the requirements of the role, and 

• a written submission (2 pages) - see attached documen

Only applications including all three documents will be accepted. Please provide your documents in pdf format. 

Application process

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until 23:59 on Wednesday May 28th 2025. 

Should your application be selected during sift, the next stage will involve a panel interview. You may also be invited to attend a second interview. 

Initial interviews will be held w/c June 2nd via Zoom, with a view to second interviews being held again by Zoom on the morning of June 17th or 18th.

Please indicate in your covering letter or in a covering email your availability for an interview during these weeks. 

If you have any questions about the role or your application, please contact us on jobs at riveractionuk dot com

.

Us

Population Matters is an environmental and human rights charity, working to ensure that our population can co-exist in harmony with nature and prosper on a healthy planet.

Our vision is of a world in which our human population lives fairly and sustainably with nature and each other.

Our mission is to address the negative consequences of ever more people using ever more of the planet’s resources and to inspire and engage with others to find, share and promote ways to make our vision a reality as quickly as possible.

You

Have you recently completed a Masters with a substantial research component? Do you have experience originating, facilitating and conducting original research? Do you have a good understanding of statistical methods and want to help put your skills to use to help address some of humanity’s biggest challenges?

We have just entered a new five-year strategy period and are looking for someone to join our expanding Research Team, which both commissions and conducts research. We are a growing organisation and will be further expanding internationally over the strategy period.

If your application is successful, you will join a unique, research focused and data driven organisation.  

How we’ll do things

Population Matters is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer. We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age and all other categories protected by law.

If you require any adjustments to make the process more accessible, or to arrange an informal conversation about the role, please email the recruiting manager, Joshua Hill, via our switchboard.

Please apply by sending a CV (no more than two A4 pages) and covering letter (no more than two A4 pages), addressing the Job Description and, in particular, the Person Specification.

We will use blind recruitment practices to minimise unconscious bias.

The deadline for applications is midday on 31st May. We will hold first interviews on the 4th May, remotely, with Joshua Hill, Chief Research & Operations Officer, and David Samways, Editor of the Journal of Population and Sustainability. We will hold second interviews on the morning of the 5th June, remotely, with Josh Hill and Jameen Kaur, Director of Influence and Advocacy.

Thank you for your interest in Population Matters.

About SafeLives

We are SafeLives, the UK-wide charity dedicated to ending domestic abuse, for everyone and for good.    

Last year alone, 14,000 professionals received our training. Over 80,000 adults at risk of serious harm or murder and more than 100,000 children received support through dedicated multi-agency support designed by us and delivered with partners. In the last six years, over 4,000 perpetrators have been challenged and supported to change by interventions we created with partners, and that’s just the start. 

Together we can end domestic abuse. Forever. For everyone.

About the role

The DAPO Project Manager will work closely with the DAPO Programme Manager and SafeLives Finance Manager to support the successful delivery of the programme and maintain effective commissioning relationships with service providers across each pilot area. Key responsibilities will include overseeing commissioning contracts, supporting programme implementation, managing stakeholder relationships, and providing regular progress reports to commissioners.

Hours: 22.5 hours per week with flexible working hours and provision of an out-of-hours response as needed.

Location: Remote working. You will be required to travel when the role requires it.

Contract: Fixed term contract to 31st March 2026.

Benefits

• 34 days' holiday incl. public holidays
• Flexible working e.g. compressed hours
• Cycle to work scheme
• Eye care vouchers
• Pension scheme with 4% employer contribution
• Childcare vouchers
• Employee assistance programme
• Clinical supervision
• Holiday purchase scheme to buy up to an additional 5 days
• Enhanced family leave policies
• Enhanced sick pay
• Professional development fund
• Individual learning budget
• Restorative practice training
• Time off in lieu 

If this challenge sounds as exciting to you as it does to us and you believe you have the qualities we have described, please take a look over the job description and submit a 500-word cover letter and CV.

Closing date: 9am on 30th May 2025.

SafeLives is a committed provider of equal opportunities for all; please see our job description for full details.

No agencies, please.

the3million is the largest grassroots organisation for EU citizens* in the UK, formed after the 2016 referendum to protect the rights of people who have made the UK their home. 

Our work ranges from organising EU citizens’ communities and informing people about their rights, to holding the Government to account on the implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement and advocating for social justice.

We are now looking for a Research and Policy Manager to lead on evidence-based research and support in the analysis of government policy and legislation which impacts EU citizens in the UK. 

We are looking for a creative problem solver who is detail orientated and approaches research through an investigative lens. 

This work often intersects with the wider issues of social justice, migrant rights, race equality, and data rights. 

You will work closely with the Head of Policy and Advocacy to direct strategic research initiatives, presenting recommendations to influence decision-makers and guide advocacy efforts, ensuring the3million’s campaigns are informed and led by robust evidence of EU citizens’ lived experience. 

*the3million uses ‘EU citizens’ as shorthand for EU, EEA and Swiss citizens who were resident in the UK before 31 December 2020, and their family members (of any nationality) with derived rights.

Main duties and responsibilities: 

1. Strategic research and issue analysis

You will lead on the3million’s research, working closely with the Head of Policy and Advocacy to ensure our work is shaped by lived experience, analysing issues experienced by EU citizens related to applying for immigration status, proving their rights and accessing services in the UK. 

• Collect, analyse and categorise issues raised by EU citizens through the3million’s reporting channels, including highlighting correlations to equality characteristics such as race and ethnicity, age, gender etc (including our ReportIt! system, email, social media and listening campaigns). 
• Interview EU citizens who report issues, sharing information about rights, signposting to relevant legal advice organisations.
• Identify trends in the challenges faced by EU citizens, documenting these in detail, analysing systemic issues.
• Provide strategic guidance on how research findings can inform the3million’s advocacy, campaigns and communications activities.

2. Policy development and advocacy

• Contribute to the production of high-quality policy briefings, reports and strategic recommendations that are clear, actionable and directly relevant to stakeholders including the Government.
• Support in the research and analysis of government policy developments, legislative changes and public consultations affecting EU citizens in the UK, specifically on areas related to immigration and welfare, assessing their potential impact.

3. Report writing and presentation 

• Lead on the development of in-depth reports and support in the production of policy papers and position statements, presenting complex data into clear and accessible documents.
• Present research findings and policy recommendations at meetings and events, effectively communicating complex issues to audiences. 
• Contribute to the production of advocacy materials, including media briefings, campaigns’ resources and informational content for the3million’s website, social media channels and for event distribution.

4. Stakeholder engagement 

• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including civil society organisations and other advocacy groups.
• Collaborate with other team members within the organisation to ensure research and policy recommendations are effectively integrated into the3million’s community organising activities, campaigns and strategic communications.

5. Monitoring and evaluation 

• Report on the progress and outcomes of research and policy activities regularly, within the organisation and to the3million’s funders. 

6. General responsibilities 

• Represent the views of the3million in the media, when appropriate.
• Provide assistance in other areas of the3million’s work as and when deemed necessary by the CEO.

Person specification 

Knowledge and experience:

• Experience (2+ years) working within research or investigative settings 
• Proven track record in producing research reports and presenting research findings

Skills: 

• Expertise in investigative research and analysis, including the ability to summarise complex information and communicate it effectively to different audiences
• Excellent attention to detail 
• Excellent writing skills, with the ability to produce high quality reports and other written materials
• Strong presentation skills
• Ability to build rapport with research participants through individual or group interviews
• Proficient in using spreadsheets for data analysis
• Awareness of research ethics and data protection

Personal attributes: 

• A deep commitment to migrants’ rights and a passion for social justice
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, work independently and thrive in a fast-paced environment
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders, external partners, and community groups

Desirable 

• Experience working on immigration policy, human rights, or social justice
• Experience of obtaining information through Freedom of Information requests 
• Experience of building research tools and developing creative methods and techniques of research
• Knowledge of the Citizens’ Rights Part Two of the Withdrawal Agreement, its current implementation in the UK, and the EU Settlement Scheme

Before you apply

One of the3million’s core values is equity - we are people led, we value diversity and are enriched by differences. We strive to listen to, engage with and represent the broadest range of people. 

We recognise our team is not currently representative of communities that experience racism and that our own ways of working may replicate wider societal oppression and injustices. We are actively working towards becoming an anti-oppressive organisation, including taking steps to create a more inclusive recruitment process.

You may not have worked in an organisation whose focus is campaigning for migrants’ rights. Or you may have experience in a grassroots setting which is not formalised. Please still consider applying as many other settings offer transferable skills.

If you are from a background that is underrepresented in the migration sector - for example you are from a community that experiences racism, or you have lived experience of migration, or you are a disabled person, or you did not go to University or had free school meals as a child - we strongly encourage you to apply.

We believe our work will be stronger with greater diversity. the3million welcomes the whole person to work, and we understand that each of us brings our experiences, our backgrounds and our own unique lens to what we do.

Working conditions

Position: Full time 
Duration: Initial 12 months contract, with possibility of extension, subject to funding
Salary: £38,419 per year
Location: Remote, must be UK based. Travel may be required (all travel expenses covered)
Benefits: 28 days holiday + bank holidays, contributory pension scheme, flexible working patterns.
Reporting to: Head of Policy and Advocacy
Preferred start date: 7th July 2025
Interviews will be held on 28th, 29th and 30th May.

Pathfinders Neuromuscular Alliance is seeking a strategic and creative Communications, Engagement and Policy Manager to lead our outreach, advocacy, and communications efforts. This part-time leadership role is ideal for someone passionate about empowering disabled communities, building influence, and shaping impactful campaigns in a flexible, supportive work environment.
 

Job Title: Communications, Engagement and Policy Manager

Location: Flexible (with occasional travel required)

Reports to: CEO

Salary: £17,280-18,720 gross per annum (£36,000-£39,000 FTE)

Hours: Part-time, 18 hours per week 

About Pathfinders Neuromuscular Alliance

Pathfinders Neuromuscular Alliance is a charity dedicated to empowering, supporting, and advocating for individuals living with neuromuscular conditions. Our mission is to ensure that those affected by these conditions have access to the resources, representation, and information they need to live fulfilling and independent lives. 

Job Summary

We are looking for a creative, driven, and collaborative Communications, Engagement and Policy Manager to lead on internal and external communications and to deepen engagement with our members, stakeholders, and the wider community. This is a key role in growing our influence, raising awareness of our work, and supporting our mission to empower people with neuromuscular conditions. Your work will ensure that our user base remains actively engaged, well-informed, and central to our projects and campaign planning. You will oversee an Engagement Officer, Social Media Officer, and Campaigns and Advocacy Officer, working collaboratively to amplify our impact, strengthen user connections, and further our mission.

Key Responsibilities

1. User Engagement and Relationship Management

• Develop and implement strategies to enhance engagement with our users across projects, events, and online platforms, ensuring their voices are integral to our work.

• Work with the Engagement Officer to design and coordinate events, workshops, and other engagement activities, both in-person and online, that support community connection and provide valuable resources to users.

• Gather and analyse feedback from users to ensure our services, content, and campaigns remain relevant and responsive to their needs.

• Manage the CRM and membership of the charity in line with the membership policy.

 2. Content Creation and Communications

• Develop and implement a communication strategy for the organisation to set our key messages, approach and KPIs for engaging with individual, community and professional audiences as well as for internal communications.

• Support the Social Media Officer in developing and implementing a communications plan in particular focused on our social media based activities and content creation.

• Oversee and produce high-quality content for digital platforms, newsletters, reports, and publications that engage and inform our audience.

• Lead on creating and placing feature articles, policy briefings and press releases, and serve as the main media contact to ensure consistent, clear messaging. 

3. Policy, Campaigning, and Advocacy

• Work with the CEO to develop and implement, through the Policy and Campaigns Team, a campaigns strategy that responds to the needs of the neuromuscular community and creates positive, meaningful change for our community.

• Collaborate with the Campaigns and Advocacy Officer to formulate and promote evidence-based policy positions, engaging key stakeholders in government, healthcare, and related sectors.

• Support the Campaigns and Advocacy Officer to expand the Pathfinders advocacy service and drive referrals to the service.

• Represent the organisation at events, sector meetings, and forums to build our profile and increase our influence on policy issues relevant to our community.

 4. Team Leadership and Development

• Manage, support, and foster the professional growth of the Engagement Officer, Social Media Officer, and Campaigns and Advocacy Officer, building a collaborative and empowered team.

• Set team objectives and KPIs, monitor progress, and provide regular feedback to ensure alignment with organisational goals and impact.

5. Stakeholder Engagement and Partnership Development

• Cultivate relationships with relevant stakeholders, including influencers, partner organisations, funders, policymakers, and the neuromuscular community.

• Work closely with the CEO to manage community partnerships, ensuring alignment with organisational goals and expanding opportunities for user engagement.

  6. Organisational management

• Support the CEO with the overall running of the organisation by attending meetings of the management committee as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, taking on additional tasks as agreed.

• Provide contingency support to the  Senior Leadership Team to cover essential tasks such as reporting hours to our payroll team in the event of staff absence.

• Maintain an overview of projects and teams across the organisation to provide short-term management and HR support in the event of staff shortages or incapacity.

• Review, approve and document payments in the charity using our software and finance process.

• Support the development of funding bids and project plans for introducing new projects.

• Represent the Senior Leadership Team at external events and in meetings with Trustees and Members.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public policy, engagement, or a related field (or equivalent experience).

• 3-years experience in a communications, policy, or engagement role, ideally within a charity or non-profit setting.

• Experience engaging directly with user communities and developing outreach initiatives.

• Strong writing and editing skills with experience producing content for a variety of platforms including Youtube.

• Experience managing a small team to achieve strategic objectives.

• Knowledge of or strong interest in the healthcare, disability, or neuromuscular sector is desirable.

• Lived experience of a neuromuscular condition is desirable but not essential.

Skills and Attributes

• Strategic thinker with the ability to balance advocacy, engagement, and communication initiatives effectively.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to build relationships across diverse audiences.

• Ability to manage multiple projects, prioritise, and maintain high standards under tight timelines.

• Proficient in social media management, content creation, and analytics.

• A commitment to advocating for and advancing the rights of individuals with neuromuscular conditions.

What We Offer

• The opportunity to make a meaningful impact within a purpose-driven, supportive organisation.

• Flexible working arrangements to promote work-life balance.

• Ongoing professional development opportunities and the chance to lead impactful campaigns and user engagement efforts.

This is an exciting opportunity for a skilled and thoughtful communicator to lead our communications and advocacy work during a period of maternity cover. 

At Martin James Foundation, we work alongside a network of committed partners who lead change for children and families in their contexts. Our role is to contribute where we can, granting funds, sharing learning, supporting campaigns, influencing systems and amplifying the good work already happening. You’ll lead on implementing our communications and advocacy strategy, manage key partnerships, and strengthen our presence across digital platforms. You’ll also support internal communications projects.

This role is central to how we tell our story, build meaningful collaboration, influence change and ensure the voices of those with lived experience are prioritised, listened to and able to lead change.

About Martin James Foundation

The Martin James Foundation (MJF) is a global network of charitable organisations working with a shared vision: a world in which children grow up and thrive in safe and loving families.

The Foundation is made up of:

· MJF Global – our programmes team, which uses the Foundation’s technical and financial resources to support locally rooted partner organisations around the world. Together, we work to strengthen families and reduce reliance on orphanages, contributing to global efforts to reform children’s care.

· Key Assets – a group of independent, non-profit fostering agencies operating in Australia, Canada and New Zealand. With over 30 years’ experience, they provide foster care, family strengthening, and support for people with disabilities. Their trauma-informed approach is built on strong partnerships and a commitment to meeting the unique needs of those they serve.

The Need

Millions of children are separated from their families, not because they have no one to care for them, but because of poverty, crisis, or a lack of support. Many end up in orphanages, yet removing a child from a struggling family does not solve poverty. It can deepen harm, sever vital family bonds, and leave children more vulnerable to instability, trafficking, and lifelong inequality. Our mission is to reduce the reliance on institutional care by supporting proven alternatives and advocating for systemic change.

What You’ll Do

 Advocacy & Policy Influence

• Lead the delivery of advocacy strategies to raise awareness about the benefits of family-based care and the harms of institutions, including orphanages
• Manage MJF Global’s advocacy partnerships, supporting joint campaigns and influencing initiatives
• Oversee project-based public affairs and PR efforts, coordinating with agencies, consultants and media stakeholders where needed
• Represent MJF Global in key coalitions, working groups, and sector events as required
• Strategic communications

Implement the communications strategy that aligns with our organisational goals

• Manage our editorial calendar across digital and offline channels, highlighting awareness days, partner updates and sector milestones
• Write and curate content for social media, newsletters, campaigns, and reports
• Oversee relationships with our design and web partners, ensuring consistency and quality

Stakeholder Engagement & Partnerships

• Support MJF’s global marketing working group by co-coordinating with marketing leads across Key Assets
• Strengthen relationships with internal teams and external collaborators, ensuring alignment on messaging and values
• Provide guidance to global partners, as requested/required, developing and implementing their own communications plans

Operational Comms & Tools

• Manage CRM platforms (e.g., MailChimp), website updates (WordPress), and file sharing (SharePoint and Google Drive)
• Use project management tools to track campaign and content workflows
• Lead quarterly reporting on communications and advocacy performance

What We’re Looking For

We’re seeking someone who is not only an excellent communicator but also a values-led leader, someone who can work with sensitivity across contexts and cultures, while keeping an eye on strategy and detail.

Essential

• An enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) or your country equivalent certificate (can be obtained upon appointment)
• Experience leading and implementing communications and/or advocacy strategies in the charity, NGO, or development sectors
• Strong understanding of care reform, family strengthening, or children’s rights issues
• Ability to manage relationships and partnerships, particularly in advocacy, policy or public affairs work
• Excellent communication skills across formats including written, verbal and visual. Fluency in English is required.
• A collaborative, curious and proactive mindset, with the ability to work independently and across cultures
• Commitment to equity, anti-racism, and decolonising approaches in communication and advocacy

Desirable

• Experience working in or with organisations in the Global South
• Familiarity with digital tools like Canva, WordPress, MailChimp, or Adobe Suite
• Experience in journalism, media relations, or public policy advocacy
• Confidence using communications to support locally led, ethical storytelling and systems change

What We Offer

• Fully remote working with flexible scheduling
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Meaningful work with a passionate, globally distributed team
• Opportunity to contribute to a mission-driven organisation that centres lived experience and ethical partnership

The Martin James Foundation strives to enable a diverse range of participation and contributions, and we welcome applications from all ages and backgrounds. People with lived experience of alternative care, and from people outside of the UK are encouraged to apply.

Job Title: Policy & Research Officer
Location: Remote (with UK and international travel, candidate must be UK-based)
Hours: Full-time  
Salary: £30,000 - £33,000 
Reports to: Head of Insight & Advocacy 

About Us 

Metabolic Support UK is the leading organisation for people living with inherited metabolic disorders (IMDs) and their families. We provide expert support and advocacy, champion research, and work with health services and policy-makers to ensure people with IMDs and their families get the care they need and deserve. 

The Role 

We are looking for a curious and committed Research & Policy Officer to help us build the evidence base to improve the lives of people affected by IMDs. Reporting to the Head of Insight & Advocacy, you will play a key role in delivering our research projects, keeping tabs on relevant policy developments, and helping shape our responses to consultations. 

Key Responsibilities 

Research (under supervision of the Head of Insight & Advocacy): 

• Support the design, planning, and delivery of qualitative and quantitative research projects 

• Conduct literature reviews, stakeholder mapping, and data analysis 

• Contribute to survey development, focus groups, and interviews with people living with IMDs, families, clinicians and other stakeholders 

• Assist with analyses and write up findings in accessible and engaging ways for different audiences 

• Ensure all research is ethical, inclusive, and relevant to the needs of the IMD community 

Policy Monitoring and Response: 

• Track developments in policy relevant to rare diseases and inherited metabolic conditions 

• Summarise key policy updates for internal and external audiences 

• Support the drafting of consultation responses, position statements, and policy briefings 

• Contribute to campaigns, stakeholder engagement, and policy influencing activities 

• Help ensure the voice of the IMD community is reflected in national and local policy discussions 

About You 

We are looking for someone who is: 

• Organised, analytical, and enthusiastic about improving lives through research and policy 

• A strong communicator – able to write clearly and concisely for different audiences 

• Comfortable working with data, both qualitative and quantitative 

• Keen to learn, with some experience in research or policy (academic, charity, health, or public sector settings) 

• A team player who enjoys collaborating and supporting others 

Desirable experience: 

• Background in public health, health policy, social research, or similar 

• Experience working with or for people living with a disorder, carers, or people with rare or long-term conditions 

• Familiarity with the NHS, health inequalities, or rare disease policy 

What We Offer 

• A chance to make a meaningful difference in a growing, agile charity 

• A friendly and supportive team culture 

• Flexible working arrangements 

• Opportunities for learning and professional development 

Lead multi-million-pound partnerships for the UK’s largest nature conservation charity and Europe’s biggest nature-focused NGO, helping to build a future where nature and business thrive.

The Business Engagement team leads the RSPB’s work with the private sector and plays a central role in the charity’s strategy, working with businesses as agents of change. With a clear strategy and strong ethical foundations, the team are well positioned to raise £15 million through corporate partnerships by 2030 – and this role is central to making this happen.

Reporting into the Head of Business Engagement, you will oversee and grow a portfolio of multi-million-pound, strategic corporate partnerships, and ones that have the potential for this, ensuring they deliver both significant income and deep impact for nature. Partnerships include Tesco, Co-op, Ella’s Kitchen, Cemex and Barratt.

Working closely with the Head of New Business & Impact and the Head of Business Practice & Advocacy, you will deliver on RSPB’s Business Engagement Strategy, which focuses on:

• Investing in nature at scale
• Driving business practice change
• Influencing policy and systems
• Reaching new audiences through customers, employees and B2B engagement

As Head of Partnership Delivery, you will:

• Lead RSPB’s most strategic corporate partnerships, overseeing a portfolio that includes Tesco, Co-op, Cemex and Ella’s Kitchen. These relationships are already delivering conservation impact and income, but there is more potential to unlock.
• Manage and mentor a skilled team of four, with a collaborative, empowering leadership style and people-first approach
• Drive income growth and unlock new value from existing partners – including funding for restoration, nature projects, biodiversity in supply chains, engaging with business customers and employees’ and behaviour change initiatives
• Work across internal teams – including Global Conservation, Country teams, Fair to Nature, Policy & Advocacy, Finance and Communications – to integrate technical expertise and policy influence into our partnerships
• Play an active leadership role across the Business Engagement team and wider RSPB, helping evolve their approach to corporate engagement and championing the role of business in nature recovery

Ideal skills and experience:

• A track record of leading and growing high-value, strategic partnerships – ideally at a multi-million-pound scale
• Strong strategic and commercial thinking, with the ability to balance income generation and mission-driven impact
• A collaborative, empowering leadership style with a people-first approach (team leadership experience is essential)
• Experience of influencing and engaging senior stakeholders, both internally and externally
• Confident managing sensitive ethical considerations and public scrutiny
• Experience or interest in sustainability, ESG or climate is helpful, but not essential
• Could suit someone stepping up from a senior partnerships role

Employee benefits

This is a home-based role, open to candidates across the UK, with a preference for someone based in England. Regular team meetups in London or at Sandy HQ (Bedfordshire), with travel costs reimbursed.

Benefits include: 

• 34 to 38 days’ annual leave (depending on length of service), including bank holidays
• Up to 7% employer contribution pension scheme
• Life assurance (5x salary)
• Four-week paid sabbatical after five years
• One paid volunteering day per year
• Generous sick pay

Background 

People and communities around the world have the solutions to social injustice, authoritarianism, and the climate crisis. But repressive governments, corrupt corporations, and armed groups use violence and oppression to try and silence them.

By building resistance and resilience among those challenging unaccountable power, Open Voices supports a shared vision for a world where communities and ecosystems can thrive. 

As a mission-driven nonprofit, we join forces with grassroots activists, community groups, and social movements at risk. Working together, we strengthen their physical safety, digital resilience, and collective wellbeing. As a social impact consultancy, we help high-profile nonprofits and foundations manage risk and care for their teams and partners.

This dual approach allows us to work at every level of civil society, from the grassroots to the global. 

We have scaled to meet a 66% surge in demand for our support over the past two years, with our international team now responding to 11 new cases every week. Last year alone, we:

• Answered 575 calls for assistance across 100 countries.

• Delivered over 6,000 hours of mentoring and accompaniment.

• Trained over 1,000 activists in 112 holistic security workshops.

Whoever we partner with, we start with questions, not answers. Listening before speaking, understanding before acting. Together, we defend those who speak out. 

We are expanding our diverse, inspired, and purpose-driven team. Will you join us as our new philanthropy coordinator?

Role description

As our philanthropy coordinator, you will play a key role in building new partnerships with philanthropists and high-net-worth individuals, with an immediate focus on the UK, US, and Europe. You will design and implement a comprehensive strategy to build a robust portfolio of individual donors, Family Foundations, Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) and other personal giving vehicles. 

A proactive and thoughtful relationship builder, you will maintain long-term relationships and lead bold strategies to engage new audiences, including millennial and next-generation philanthropists. You will steward Open Briefing’s first global development board, working closely with our CEO and director of development to engage members around a dynamic programme of activities designed to make Open Briefing more fundable and findable. 

Together with our director of development, you will drive forward a multi-year fundraising strategy to resource our work with activists and organisations on the frontlines of human rights, social justice, and environmental action. 

Your primary responsibilities will include: 

• Designing and executing our philanthropy fundraising strategy. Lead a strategy to identify, cultivate, and solicit high-net-worth individuals (HNWI) —including through Donor Advised Funds, Family Offices, Family Foundations, and other giving vehicles—with an immediate focus on the US, UK and Europe. 

• Prospecting and donor acquisition. Manage HNWI prospecting, generate new leads, develop solicitation plans, brief senior leadership in advance of meetings, and coordinate cultivation and networking opportunities.

• Stewardship and relationship management. Build strong relationships with existing and potential donors through tailored stewardship plans designed to grow income over time. Manage donor tracking and communication systems. 

• Nurture and grow our development board - Work alongside our director of development and CEO to identify and engage members and steward the Board through a 12-month action-orientated development campaign. 

• Budget Management. Manage a programme budget for cultivation and stewardship events and activities.

• Collaboration and Communication. Work closely with our communications coordinator, director of development and programme teams in the production and dissemination of donor-relevant reports, updates and other content; and contribute to the conception and organisation of donor-facing online and in-person events.

• Team support. As a key member of our development and communications team, undertaken other duties as reasonably requested relevant to team and organisational goals. 

Person specification 

Essential 

• You will have extensive experience managing a HNWI or major gift portfolio. 

• You will have a proven track-record of personally securing four, five, or six-figure donations from HNWI and/or major gift donors in the UK, US and/or Europe. 

• You will have experience working within a nonprofit focused on human rights, social justice, and/or environmental action. 

• You will have excellent verbal communication skills, including English language skills, both spoken and written. 

• You will have experience working with senior stakeholders and board members to support fundraising activities. 

• You will have an ability to work both strategically and operationally.

• You will have creative thinking and problem-solving aptitude.

Desirable

• You may have experience working within a global nonprofit. 

• You may have knowledge of the human rights, social justice, environmental justice, and/or international development funding landscape. 

• You may understand grant-making and grant-management processes, especially with respect to private philanthropic funding, including family foundations, DAFs, and Family Offices. 

• You may understand tax-efficient donation mechanisms in the UK, US, and across Europe. 

• You may understand the trends in dynastic giving as well as emerging and next-generation philanthropists. 

If you feel you meet some but not all of the criteria, we would encourage you to get in touch. 

Terms and remuneration

This is a remote, home-working role. You will be contracted for 40 hours a week on a full-time, fixed-term contract. Flexible working is available and encouraged. 

We are looking for someone who wants to embrace this pivotal role within our close-knit team and develop a long-term working relationship with us. You will be properly onboarded and continually supported by experienced and compassionate managers and colleagues. Your line manager will be our director of development, Vicky Nida. 

In return for your time and dedication, we will offer you a remuneration package made up of fair pay, sector-leading benefits, and progressive leave policies, including:

• Salary of £46,900 per annum.

• 7% employer pension contribution.

• Family private medical insurance.

• Employee Assistance Programme, including welfare counselling.

• Unlimited professional coaching.

• Enhanced annual leave of 25 days plus local public holidays.

• Additional leave days for annual closedown.

• Enhanced sick pay.

• Flexible working, including flexitime and remote and home working.

• Access to local coworking spaces.

• Support for climate action:

  • Personal carbon emissions offsetting.

  • Up to two additional leave days for sustainable travel.

  • Up to two additional leave days for climate activism.

• Apple MacBook and peripherals.

If you are based outside the United Kingdom, you will be offered comparable compensation through our local employer of record, Remote. For parity, we contribute 4% above the local statutory requirements into the personal pension plans of staff members employed outside the UK. We will contribute 7% into the personal pension plans of staff members employed in counties where there is no  local statutory provision. 

Diversity, equity, and inclusion

Open Briefing values diversity. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where all can be their authentic selves. We therefore encourage applications from all who meet the person specification and particularly from candidates who are from racialised communities and those under-recognised in our development team. This currently includes people of colour and people from countries in the global majority.

Please read our diversity, equity, and inclusion policy for more information. Our ethical and environmental policies are also available. And you may find our Vision, Mission, and Values statements of interest.

Open Briefing is a Disability Confident Employer and a signatory of the Charter for Employers Who Are Positive About Mental Health. We will make reasonable adjustments for disabled and neurodivergent people during the recruitment process and any subsequent employment. Please let us know in your cover letter how we can be the recruiter and employer you need us to be.

We have checked the text of this advert using the Gender Decoder tool.

Safeguarding

Open Briefing is dedicated to upholding the highest safeguarding standards, ensuring a culture of respect and protection for both our internal and external stakeholders. Our approach encompasses preventative measures and a strong response mechanism to any safeguarding concerns, guided by a survivor/victim-centred ethos. We enforce a strict no-tolerance policy towards any violations of safeguarding policies, ensuring that all concerns are addressed promptly and appropriately. Our safeguarding policy is available here.

How to apply

Please submit your application using our online form and note the following dates:

• Closing date: 30 May 2025

• Interviews: w/c 9 June 2025 

• Desired start date: As soon as possible 

Please let us know on the form if any of these dates are problematic and we will try to accommodate. The successful candidate will need to complete a reasonable vetting process before engagement.

Role: Business Development Manager
Salary: £42,000
Location: Wherever you are in the UK! We are more interested in your passion than your postcode because we want the best people to come and work for SignHealth. Occasional travel will be required
Hours: 37 hours per week, Monday-Friday
Report to: Head of Business Development

Closing date: 29 May 2025

About the role

SignHealth is a passionate and unique deaf-led charity, committed to creating a future where there are no barriers to good health and wellbeing for deaf people. 

Our work is varied and aims to promote easier access to healthcare and information. We partner with the NHS and other services and take on projects, carry out research, and raise awareness. We also deliver our own services to reach deaf people in our shared language (BSL) in their moment of need, through domestic abuse support, therapy, advocacy and residential services. 

As Business Development Manager, you will drive SignHealth’s growth by securing funding and building partnerships with government bodies, statutory funders, and key partners. Your work will help expand deaf-led services in mental health, domestic abuse, social care, and children and young people’s support.  

You will identify new funding opportunities, craft compelling bids and tenders, and support service sustainability through strategic development. Working closely with internal teams and external stakeholders, you will play an essential role in helping SignHealth thrive and deliver vital support for deaf people.  

Your key priorities will include: 

• Increasing bid capacity within the Business Development team to obtain more funding.  
• Supporting the growth of SignHealth’s commercial consultancy services.  
• Assisting in the business development of our social care services.  

You will be involved in income generation, identifying and pursuing funding opportunities from statutory bodies, government contracts, and commercial sources and assisting in monitoring the performance of secured contracts and funding agreements. You will represent SignHealth at events, foster strategic partnerships, and strengthen relationships with funders and stakeholders.  

Do you have proven track record in securing income from government and statutory bodies? 

Do you have demonstrated success in leading proposals, tender bids, or grant applications? 

Do you have strong project management, relationship management and stakeholder engagement skills?  

Why choose SignHealth?

We will work alongside you during your career with SignHealth to maximise your full potential with training and development to help you become the best you!

Working with your line manager you will receive an in-depth induction to give you great insight into our charity and what we do.

You will find out the role you will play in helping SignHealth deliver its mission.

Join our learning pathway with BSL, we offer paid training and development to further your BSL knowledge.

Wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do! It’s not just about our clients, it’s about you too.

Being a SignHealth employee you will also receive:

• 25 days holiday per year plus bank holidays (pro-rata)
• 2 wellbeing days per year (pro-rata)
• Company’s pension scheme with Standard Life from your first day of employment. Employer contribution amount: 6% of your salary, minimum employee contribution of 5%
• Eye care vouchers
• 5 days per year of paid study leave (CPD) (pro-rata)
• Expenses policy which allows payments for items when working away from home
• 2x salary life assurance scheme (death in service)
• Fully funded BSL training
• Sick pay policy
• Equipment and furniture desk/ chair to work from home.
• Refer a friend £200 voucher for both the referee and referrer!

To Apply

If this sounds like a position you would be interested in, please apply today!

To apply, please use our online application form.

We positively encourage applications from deaf people, disabled people, people of colour and people from the LGBT+ community. We will support all applicants along the journey of our recruitment process.

Offers of work are subject to: DBS check, Right to Work checks, satisfactory references and Medical Health clearance.

The eoa exists to grow and strengthen employee ownership as a force for powering fairer livelihoods, stronger businesses, and a more resilient economy. With 800+ member businesses and a community of thousands of employee owners, we are the national voice for employee ownership in the UK.

Our refreshed strategy is focused on accelerating impact through people powered growth. We’re here to make employee ownership a mainstream business model choice—by expanding the sector, setting the standard for excellence, and building a connected, values-led ecosystem. We do this through sharp insight, high-impact advocacy, and a thriving member experience.

For founders and business owners exploring employee ownership, or for leaders and managers building Great EO businesses, the eoa offers tools, knowledge, experience and connection. We facilitate powerful peer learning, codify what works, and champion the stories that inspire others to choose EO.

Together with our members, we’re creating the conditions for employee ownership to thrive—seizing the political, cultural, and digital opportunities ahead. and this is where you come in.

As Director of Partnerships and Growth, you’ll be the driving force behind the eoa’s external influence and reach. you’ll lead our advocacy and external affairs strategy, build meaningful partnerships, and deliver powerful events programmes that accelerate adoption of Great EO. You’ll also shape the narrative—ensuring our insights, policy recommendations and thought leadership land with impact.

This is a high-profile, senior leadership role at a pivotal time for the EO community. It calls for someone with a track record in advocacy or external affairs, strong commercial acumen, and the ability to lead high-performing teams. It also needs a big-picture thinker - someone who can champion EO, influence change, and help us build a more inclusive, resilient economy.

If you’re excited about the opportunity to grow an economy that puts people at the heart of business, we’d love to hear from you.

Role Details

At the heart of this Director of Parnterships & Growth role is the opportunity to shape the external environment for employee ownership, champion the voice of our members, and lead high-impact strategies that grow both our reach and the sector itself.

You’ll lead on policy, advocacy, external affairs and events—crafting compelling narratives, building powerful partnerships, and delivering programmes that drive commercial sustainability and sector-wide change.

From shaping relationships with key stakeholders and securing strategic sponsorships, to overseeing the delivery of thought leadership, content, and events, you’ll ensure that the eoa is not just part of the national conversation—but leading it.

Your ability to influence, convene, and inspire will be critical to removing barriers to employee ownership and unlocking the potential of our £1.7m organisation to deliver even greater impact.

Join us on this exciting journey where your leadership will shape policy, grow influence, and contribute to our mission of unlocking the potential of people, businesses, and the economy through employee ownership.

This role is remote, however regular travel to our HQ in Brough and across the UK is expected.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead external affairs, collaborating with stakeholders to shape policy, advocacy and best practice that removes barriers and expands EO.
• Establish relationships and secure commercial partnerships and sponsorships, generating revenue to support advocacy, events, and sector growth initiatives.
• Engage key stakeholders to co-produce content that positively influence EO practice and policy and amplify the eoa’s voice in public affairs.
• Oversee delivery of an effective content strategy that delivers our commercial objectives and positions the eoa as the leading EO authority.
• Oversee events programmes, ensuring they drive knowledge-sharing, sector development, and commercial sustainability.
• Represent the eoa at industry forums, policy roundtables, and public affairs events, championing the employee ownership model.
• Collaborate with the Director of Membership & Operations to align advocacy efforts with member needs and engagement.
• Lead and develop high-performing teams, fostering innovation and delivering measurable impact across advocacy, policy, event activities.

Success in this role

Success in this role means having a positive impact on the growth rate, influence and adoption of great EO across the employee ownership sector. Strengthening and expanding stakeholder relationships, driving advocacy impact and securing commercial sustainability through a diverse mix of sponsorships, partnerships will also be indicators of success.

Key outcomes for the role

• Growth of the employee ownership sector. Measured by increased number of EO businesses, heightened sector awareness
• Strengthened corporate engagement. Measured by growth in strategic partnerships, corporate and government engagement
• Strong Commercial Sustainability. Measured by increased sponsorship revenue, secured long-term commercial partnerships
• Increased policy influence. Measured by policy recommendations adopted, increased government engagement
• Enhanced sector insight and intelligence. Measured by utilisation of high-quality data and insights for regular sector related content outputs.
• Development and adoption of best practice. Measured by creation, adoption and promotion of best practice across the EO network.
• Successful events programmes. Measured by iIncreased participation, sponsorship growth, positive feedback.

About you

• Proven expertise in advocacy, public affairs, or policy leadership, ideally within a business, trade body, or membership association.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with experience influencing government, media, and corporate partners.
• Demonstrated ability to drive sectoral or policy change, leading successful advocacy initiatives.
• Strong commercial acumen, with experience in sponsorship acquisition, revenue generation, and developing financially sustainable initiatives.
• Exceptional strategic communication and storytelling skills, able to engage and mobilise diverse audiences.
• Experience in event programme development, ensuring high engagement and sector impact.
• Passion for employee ownership and economic models that promote shared prosperity.
• Innovative, creative, and proactive in problem-solving and strategy execution.
• A confident and transparent leader who fosters collaboration and inclusivity through teamwork.
• Self-aware with emotional intelligence, resilience, and integrity.

Role Summary

• Contract: Permanent
• Hours: Full time, 37.5 hours per week
• Location: Remote, with regular travel to eoa offices and national events
• Salary & Benefits: £65,000 p/a + 7% Pensions. 30 Days leave + Bank Holidays.
• Reports to: CEO
• Management: TBC

Job purpose

This is an exciting time to join Action for ME. With developments in research and policy alongside delivering services which are in high demand, you will enjoy working in a fast-paced and continually changing environment. You will be responsible for overseeing operational programme design and delivery, reporting of progress, and measuring the impact of all Action for ME work to improve the lives of people affected by ME. Better meeting their needs today while taking action to secure change for tomorrow. You will also assist the Chief Executive in implementing the organisational strategy, and by adapting and evolving delivery models on the ground. As you will have operational management and oversight for our Healthcare Services and hold the Designated Safeguarding Lead role for the organisation, you will bring considerable services-related experience at a management and leadership level. The Chief Executive will focus predominately on external matters and therefore you must have experience of managing an organisation to achieve high quality programmes with evidenced impact and motivated teams. You will act for the Chief Executive on topics, as agreed, and deputise during their absence.

Key duties

1. Leadership

• Ensure that children and adults with ME are at the heart of everything we do through meaningful engagement and participation to influence all aspects of our work.
• Deputise for the CEO and represent and promote the Charity at national meetings and events.
• Deputise for the CEO during periods of absence, and in relation to specific matters, issues or elements of operation as delegated from time to time by the CEO, ensuring a consistency of approach and decisions aligned with the organisation’s objectives.
• With the CEO and HR Business Partner, lead on implementing the People and Culture Strategy and ensuring our Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging plan is achieved.
• To provide support, leadership and coaching to the Management Team to ensure the smooth running of the organisation and development of the Charity.
• Contribute to the development of the overall strategy for Action for ME, ensuring that the best use is made of available resources within agreed priorities. Ensure that agreed strategy is delivered to target and in line with agreed budgets.
• Work closely with the Chief Executive and Trustees to ensure effective reporting to the Board and sub-committees.

2. Operations & management

• Manage the day-to-day operations of the Charity ensuring high quality service provision that meets all best practice, legal and regulatory frameworks and internal policies and procedures.
• Hold overall management responsibility for our Healthcare Services including the role of the CQC Nominated Individual, ensuring all regulatory requirements and compliance are met.
• Manage the staff and volunteer team, including holding regular meetings and ensure the efficient running of the office ensuring a culture that supports, inspires and motivates the team while ensuring required standards and quality are met at all times through effective performance management.
• Act as the organisational Designated Safeguarding Lead (children and vulnerable adults), working closely with the Designated Safeguarding Officers, colleagues and the Safeguarding Lead Trustee; facilitate the annual safeguarding audit (led by the Lead Trustee) and ensuring safeguarding standards across the organisation are maintained.
• Contribute to the learning and development of key personnel including coaching support (either directly or through the identification of external coaches) to enhance performance.
• Establish (where not already in place) and maintain a clear performance outcome-focused management system driving positive change and improvement across all teams.
• Ensure that policies and procedures are effectively implemented and kept up-to-date to enable the effective management of operations and support growth.
• Take the lead role for data protection, health and safety, compliance and risk management across the organisation and act as the Designated Safeguarding Lead.

3. Finance & income generation

• Hold financial leadership responsibility, working closely with the Finance Manager and the Fundraising Director to ensure sustainability for our work.
• Ensure effective financial management with procedures in place which are kept up-to-date and implemented accordingly.
• Provide support and engagement, where appropriate, to actively grow our income.

4. Working with others

• Lead, nurture and develop relationships with key stakeholder groups and partner organisations, both locally and nationally, supporting Action for M.’s place as the ‘go to’ organisation for people affected by ME
• Lead on new business ideas and pilot projects in line with the strategic objectives; with colleagues, develop the business case, identify and manage risks, lead implementation across teams, evaluate success and learning and make recommendations for future development.

5. Other key accountabilities

• Be proactive in keeping up to date with developments affecting operations and maintain and improve personal competence through continuous professional development.
• Take direction on projects and priorities from the CEO, which may vary from time to time.
• To ensure best value in all service delivery.

Person specification

Experience and Knowledge

• Proven experience in an operations, leadership, or senior management role, ideally within the charity service delivery or healthcare sector, with the ability to develop and implement strategic plans that drive organisational growth and reporting that demonstrates impact delivered. If you come from outside a support services background, you must demonstrate sound understanding of the regulatory and best practice requirements related to delivering support and/or healthcare services.
• An understanding of ME and associated/overlapping illnesses, the impact on people affected by it or a commitment and ability to understand the illness and lead services to meet the needs of children and adults with ME
• Experience managing multi-disciplinary teams, including remote workers, and fostering a supportive workplace culture where change is a constant.
• Safeguarding understanding at a management/decision-making level.
• Proven experience of building and nurturing strong relationships internally and externally at all levels.
• A sound understanding of outcome-focused, effective performance management, quality assurance and risk management.
• Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, financial planning, and resource management in the voluntary sector.

Skills and Behaviours

• Experience of governance, risk management, and compliance, including within regulated services, ideally within a charity and/or service delivery setting.
• Proven ability to think strategically, balance competing demands, use initiative to solve problems and actively seek innovative approaches to problem solving and delivering results.
• Strong interpersonal skills including motivational, negotiating influencing and networking skills which build strong internal and external relationships.
• An ability to understand, analyse and make effective use of data across all of our work.
• A proven ability to coach and motivate staff and to build and lead teams reflecting organisational culture and values, a respectful, constructive and energetic style.
• Proven, strong MS Office skills that supports writing, email, internet and database use.
• Demonstrable ability to work within our organisational values