Policy and briefings officer jobs in Belfast

Title:  Senior Policy and Advocacy Manager

Salary:  From £45,000 - £55,000 per annum 

Contract:  Permanent

Hours:  37.5 per week (Monday to Friday) 

Holiday:     25 days per year plus bank holidays 

Location:  Home based with regular travel within / to London and across the UK

Probationary Period:  3 months

Reports to:  Head of Department 

Benefits:  An additional 3 days holiday between Christmas and New Year, Flexitime policy, 5% pension contribution

Title and salary to be commensurate with experience.

We are River Action

We are a small and agile campaigning organisation on a mission to rescue UK rivers from a toxic cocktail of agricultural, sewage and industrial pollution and water shortages. We support community action, galvanise and mobilise public opinion, influence government policy, take legal actions and call out destructive industrial practices to incentivise changes that end river pollution and secure freshwater. 

We are building a talented team of positive disrupters and stakeholder mobilisers to deliver our strategy to urgently protect and restore our rivers for the benefit of communities, rivers and wildlife.

Britain’s rivers are our life support system and they are dying. We need urgent action to bring them back to life.

Who we are looking for

We are expanding our political influence by introducing this new position, which will work closely with our existing Policy and Advocacy Manager to bolster our strategic reach particularly in the areas of water scarcity, security and justice, sewage and chemical pollution, and water sector reform.

We are seeking a dynamic and self-motivated individual who shares our passion for protecting rivers and securing our nation’s water, food, health, jobs and economy to join our team to drive forward our policy and advocacy work. This role requires a strategic thinker with strong policy insights capable of blending analytical problem-solving with intelligent advocacy to drive meaningful change. This role requires someone to have excellent writing skills and the ability to draft complex policy documents as well as top line arguments for wider communication. 

The ideal person will bring a combination of expertise, energy and ideas to amplify our impact, holding decision-makers and polluters accountable with a professional and diplomatic approach. They will engage with influential people across the sector, government, industry and media. 

If you thrive in fast-paced environments and want to be at the forefront of environmental policy and advocacy across multiple campaigns, we’d love to hear from you.

What you’ll be doing

As a Senior Policy and Advocacy Manager, you  will lead the development and drafting of River Action’s overall policy strategy as well as leading on specific policy areas. You will play a leading role in shaping and advancing River Action’s political and policy influence, working closely with the Senior Management Team, Chief Executive and wider organisation to develop and execute an impactful policy and advocacy strategy.

River Action is the Co-Secretariat for the APPG on Water Pollution, offering our Policy and Advocacy Manager a unique opportunity to shape the policy direction for River Action and also to influence policy development across Parliament. 

You will also work closely with our public affairs agency who manage our daily Westminster activities. 

You will:

• Lead River Action’s development and delivery of our policy and advocacy strategy on sewage, industrial water pollution, and water scarcity 

• Collaborate with River Action’s team and external partners to ensure our collective work is underpinned by robust and forward-thinking policy analysis and evidence.

• Develop policy analysis to support campaign, communications and policy strategies, based on a strong evidence base and a sound understanding of the relevant legal and policy frameworks.

• Translate complex policy and evidence into concise documents with clear messages and compelling campaigns to engage political and policy stakeholders.

• Monitor and analyse political and policy developments, interpreting their implications and opportunities for River Action and its supporters.

• Generate analysis to enable participation in public consultation processes, including drafting high-quality and persuasive consultation responses and briefings for Westminster and Whitehall audiences.

• Increase our political influence with exciting policy interventions, ensuring River Action’s voice is heard at the highest levels of decision-making.

• Build and maintain relationships with key policymakers, civil servants, industry experts and partner organisations.

• Support grassroots community groups and third-sector partners in engaging with their local representatives for effective advocacy.

• Organise and attend key political meetings and events, including the Water Pollution APPG, stakeholder roundtables and parliamentary events.

• Manage strategic policy partnerships, including our relationship with Wildlife and Countryside Link and other third-sector organisations.

• Ensure River Action’s policy and advocacy efforts align with our creative campaigns, by making sure colleagues and spokespeople are well-briefed and communications content is well-informed to maximise reach and impact.

You will also:

• Actively engage in professional development and training.

• Adhere to health and safety policies while working in different locations.

• Maintain confidentiality in all areas of work at River Action.

• Demonstrate a strong commitment to an inclusive, equal and diverse workplace.

• Work collaboratively with colleagues across River Action to collectively deliver our mission while being true to our values. 

UK travel will be required and regular trips to London. Training and operational activities may require overnight stays away from home, in which case costs will be covered and standard River Action procedures will apply.

What you’ll bring

The position will suit a self-motivated, strategic and determined person. You will be an excellent communicator, with exceptional writing skills and comfortable representing River Action and engaging with diverse stakeholders in positions of responsibility. You will have a passion to protect and restore our waterways and to hold decision-makers and polluters to account.

Essential knowledge, skills and experience:

• Experience in a senior policy and advocacy role, ideally within the environmental sector and including experience of water policy. 

• Policy and/or legislative experience, with a good understanding of the workings of the UK government and Parliamentary procedure.

• A good understanding of the UK water industry, the key UK water-related policies and the issues that are impacting our rivers, land and wildlife.

• Knowledge of the challenge of water scarcity.

• Excellent communication and writing skills with close attention to detail and the ability to produce concise and persuasive briefings, reports and consultation responses.

• Strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative approach to working creatively and at a fast pace with colleagues, stakeholders and partners. 

• Excellent organisational skills, including the ability to proactively plan and prioritise work and to report your progress and impact.

• Ability to work flexible hours and travel as necessary.

• A good and supportive team player with a willingness to muck in as and when required.

Why join us?

• Be part of a mission-driven organisation working to restore and protect the UK’s rivers.

• Work at the heart of political and environmental change, influencing decision-makers at the highest levels.

• Work in an agile, supportive and happy work environment where your ideas and expertise will have real impact.

• Opportunities for professional development and growth within the organisation.

Diversity and inclusion

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies show that women and people of colour are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single criteria. We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace. So if you like the look of this role but your past experience does not align perfectly with everything in the job description, we’d still love to hear from you. You may be just the right person for this role.

How to apply

To apply, please submit to jobs at riveractionuk dot com with the subject Senior Policy and Advocacy Manager’:

• your CV (2 pages), 

• a cover letter (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) as described below. 

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

Written submission

Please prepare a 2 page policy briefing for Parliamentarians on the issue of water scarcity and water justice and how it affects UK rivers and our security.  Your briefing should be written in a clear, persuasive style suitable for a Parliamentary and government audience and:

• Identify causes of water scarcity and injustice.

• Provide a concise analysis of the impact on rivers, biodiversity and our economy.

• Summarise and assess gaps in relevant UK Government policies, legislation and plans.

• Propose two or three practical policy recommendations for decision-makers.

Application process

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until 5pm on Wednesday 15th July.

Should your application be selected during sift, the next stage will involve an initial 15-minute interview. You may then be invited to attend a second interview with a panel. 

Interviews will be held in the weeks commencing 19th July and 26th July via video conference. 

Please indicate in your covering letter or in a covering email your availability for interviews.

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

We’re looking for a skilled digital communicator who understands what works online and can turn ideas into clear, compelling content across social, web and email. Your work will raise the profile and priority of public libraries with key audiences, including local and national politicians, while keeping our members informed about the impact we deliver on their behalf. 

You’ll work closely with the Communications and Advocacy Manager as part of our Policy, External Affairs and Research (PEAR) team. The team leads our work to influence policy, build partnerships and raise the profile of public libraries nationally and locally - working with government, partners, the media and our members. 

You’ll write with clarity, create simple visuals or video, and use data to improve performance. Crucially, you’ll balance creativity with consistency - working within our tone of voice while handling nuanced and sensitive issues. 

You don’t need a library background, but you must believe in the power of public libraries to open up opportunities, expand horizons and bring communities together.

About us 

Libraries Connected is the national membership body for public library services. 

We are an independent charity representing almost every public library service in England, Wales and Northern Ireland – 176 services, with around 3000 branches serving over 61 million people.

We bring together the people who run these services to collaborate, share knowledge and strengthen the sector’s collective voice. 

Our work is led by our members and shaped by their priorities. This means we can respond quickly to emerging issues and provide clear, practical support where it is needed most.

Working at Libraries Connected

We are a friendly, collaborative team of around 20 staff based all around England and Wales. 

We value diversity and are committed to promoting an inclusive working environment. We strongly believe that inclusive and diverse organisations are not only better places to work, they are more innovative, make better decisions and are more successful. We value people who bring unique perspectives and knowledge to our team. 

We want to make our recruitment process as fair as possible. To reduce bias, we shortlist candidates based on their responses to up to five application questions. These are designed to tell us about your values, experience, attitudes to work, and transferable skills. We do not ask for a separate cover letter or supporting statement. 

We offer flexible working as standard, helping work fit around family and caring responsibilities. Many of our staff work their hours in different ways, including compressed hours. We are open to discussing what would work for you and be possible for the role. 

All roles are remote and are open to applicants who live anywhere in the UK. We provide staff with a home office set-up including laptop, monitor and phone. There is the option to work from our central London office or use a co-working space if it is not possible to work from home. 

We welcome requests for adjustments to our standard recruitment processes for anyone who needs them. 

Job details 

• Hours: 0.8 FTE 

• Contract: Fixed for 15 months, with an expectation to continue subject to income generation 

• Location: Home-based (with occasional UK travel) 

• Application deadline: 9am, Thursday 16 July 2026 

• Planned interview date: Wednesday 22 July (interviews will be held online) 

• Salary: £34,584.60 (pro rata). Payscales reviewed on annual basis 

• Employer pension contribution: 7%

Job description 

Overall purpose 

• Work with a high degree of autonomy to plan, create and publish digital content, taking ownership of content ideas, quality and performance, and using professional judgement to manage risks and escalate reputational issues where appropriate. 

Social media 

• Plan and publish daily content across LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and Bluesky 

• Use Buffer to schedule content in line with organisational priorities 

• Write engaging, accessible posts that reflect our tone of voice 

• Create a mix of content including text, video, photography and graphics 

• Work with colleagues to identify stories and opportunities for content 

• Use AI tools (such as Copilot) to generate ideas and optimise copy 

• Monitor performance and engagement across channels 

• Produce weekly reports and use insights to improve reach and impact 

Website 

• Create and update content, including news stories, project pages and resources 

• Ensure content is accurate, accessible and up to date 

• Commission and edit blog posts from members and partners 

• Work with developers to fix issues and improve functionality 

Email 

• Produce a regular (approx. monthly) email bulletin using Mailchimp 

• Work with colleagues to identify content and key messages 

• Use A/B testing and analytics to improve performance 

• Ensure emails follow best practice for design and accessibility 

YouTube 

• Manage the organisation’s YouTube channel as a repository for webinar content 

• Upload and organise recordings with clear titles and descriptions 

• Promote existing content across other channels 

Design and content production 

• Format documents into house style ready for publication 

• Create graphics and simple data visualisations for social media and reports 

• Support the production of high-quality, consistent visual content 

• Commissioning, briefing and liaising with external designers, photographers and videographers 

Advice and guidance 

• To act as the organisation’s digital communications specialist, providing expert advice on all aspects of digital communications, including best practice, design and usage 

Relationships 

• Build strong working relationships with colleagues across the organisation to identify content, align messaging and support delivery of strategic priorities. 

• Develop and maintain relationships with external partners, including communications and marketing contacts in member library services, sector bodies and government departments. 

Person specification 

Experience, skills and knowledge 

• Ability to manage social media channels for an organisation, including planning, publishing and evaluating content 

• Strong writing and editing skills, with the ability to produce clear, engaging and accessible content and communicate complex or sensitive issues in a balanced, audience-appropriate way 

• Ability to create multimedia content, including short-form video and social media graphics 

• Confidence using AI tools (e.g. Copilot) to draft, edit and refine content in line with organisational policy 

• Ability to use email marketing platforms (e.g. Mailchimp), including segmentation and A/B testing 

• Understanding of analytics and optimisation, including Google Analytics, SEO, GEO and performance reporting 

• Ability to use social media scheduling tools such as Buffer or similar 

• Able to edit blogs or contributed content for clarity, tone and impact 

• Ability to manage website content using a CMS (preferably Drupal or WordPress) 

Desirable

• Experience of managing social media and producing content for an organisation

• Experience of working in the charity sector 

Location: Home based within commuting distance of either Edinburgh, Cardiff or Belfast 

Salary: £32,750 per annum
Hours: 35 hours per week 

Interview date will be scheduled as and when applications are received. Please apply promptly as the vacancy will close once we have appointed a successful candidate.  

This is a full time fixed-term position for one year (with possible extension subject to funding). 

Who we are looking for  

Breakthrough T1D is the UK’s leading type 1 diabetes charity, dedicated to funding research, advocating for change, and supporting the T1D community. A year into our exciting rebrand from JDRF to Breakthrough T1D, we’re looking for a Senior Policy and Public Affairs Officer – Devolved Nations to help us build on this momentum.

The role of the Senior Policy and Public Affairs Officer - Devolved Nations is vital to achieving our UK-wide advocacy mission: to reduce health inequalities in type 1 diabetes, to widen access to type 1 diabetes treatments and technologies and to ensure that people with type 1 get access to emerging new treatments and future cures in the devolved nations.  

You will lead on projects with key stakeholders and high-level Parliamentarians, such as our access to treatments and early detection work, as well as people with type 1 diabetes, policy makers and researchers. You will help to deliver Breakthrough T1D’s influencing plans, improving access to and choice of type 1 diabetes treatments and technology in the devolved nations.  

Experience required 

• Experience of working successfully with politicians, their offices, Government departments, and other public affairs stakeholders to influence policy and to influence public/stakeholder discourse across the devolved nations

• Experience of leading public affairs delivery in at least one (preferably all) of the devolved nations 

• Experience in analysing Government policy in-depth and creating policy briefings  

• Experience of drafting briefings, reports and policy submissions   

• Experience of communicating across a range of parliamentary and professional stakeholders at all levels   

• Demonstrable knowledge, interest and experience of working in a public affairs and policy-based environment 

• Experience of organising stakeholder events  

About Breakthrough T1D 

Breakthrough T1D is the world’s leading charitable research funder into type 1 diabetes, improving lives until we find the cure. We are dedicated to our 400,000 strong type 1 community in the UK and work closely with our international affiliates across the world, including the US, Canada and Australia. 

You will find a vibrant atmosphere and spirited team at Breakthrough T1D, always striving to make a difference to people living with type 1. 

Employee benefits 

As an employer we offer: 

• Hybrid working arrangements 

• Flexible working and will consider compressed hours 

• Generous annual leave entitlement – 25 days per year plus bank holidays for full-time staff with leave increasing after three and five years’ service 

• Health cash plan that allows you to claim for some treatments such as dental, optical and physiotherapy treatment 

• Season ticket and cycle loan 

• Pension scheme 

• Family-friendly policies – maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave at enhanced rates 

• Personalised training to suit your career aspirations and professional development 

Breakthrough T1D is an equal opportunity employer, we welcome applications from all individuals regardless of race, gender, disability, religious belief, sexual orientation or age. 

Policy and Public Affairs Officer (Devolved Nations)

£34,839 pa plus excellent benefits

Home-based

35 hours per week, full-time

Permanent

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) is seeking a talented and motivated Policy and Public Affairs Officer to join our Devolved Nations team. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to policy development, advocacy and communications activity that helps improve child health outcomes across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. 

Working as part of the Policy and Public Affairs (Devolved Nations) team, you will play an important role in supporting the College’s policy and public affairs priorities. You will help build relationships with policymakers and stakeholders, support advocacy campaigns, develop policy positions and create engaging communications content that raises the profile of child health issues across the devolved nations. 

This varied and rewarding role offers the opportunity to work with a wide range of stakeholders, including paediatricians, senior College Officers, politicians, government officials, charities and healthcare organisations. 

Key responsibilities include: 

• Supporting the development of policy positions specific to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, ensuring they reflect the needs of RCPCH members and have influence across the wider UK policy landscape 

• Drafting consultation responses, policy briefings, reports and stakeholder communications on child health and paediatric issues

• Providing expertise and advice on the political, governmental and health service landscape within the devolved nations 

• Supporting the delivery of public affairs and stakeholder engagement activity, helping to build productive relationships with governments, policymakers and health sector organisations

• Producing content for websites, social media, newsletters and other digital communications channels to support advocacy and engagement objectives

• Drafting media content, including quotes, press releases and briefing materials, in collaboration with colleagues across the College

• Supporting senior College Officers and staff during meetings and engagement with policymakers and external stakeholders 

• Coordinating and supporting the work of Executive Committees across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

• Assisting with administrative and financial processes, including invoice processing and supplier registration 

• Working collaboratively with colleagues across the College to maximise the impact of policy, communications and public affairs activity 

Essential skills and experience include:

• Demonstrable experience in policy, public affairs, communications or a related field 

• Strong knowledge and understanding of policy and legislative processes in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

• Experience producing high-quality policy and communications outputs, including consultation responses, policy briefings, reports and media content

• Experience creating engaging content for digital channels, including websites, social media and email communications

• Excellent organisational and project management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and work to tight deadlines

• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills 

• The ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within a team environment

Desirable: 

• Experience working within healthcare, government, a membership organisation or the third sector 

• Knowledge of public health, health inequalities or wider health service issues

• Experience working on issues relating to children and young people

The RCPCH has more than 25,000 members and fellows worldwide and employs around 200 staff across the UK. Our devolved nations teams play a vital role in ensuring that the needs of children and young people are represented at every level of government and policy-making.

Our values – Include, Influence, Innovate and Inspire – are central to everything we do. We are committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds. We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates and disabled candidates who are under-represented at this level of the organisation.

We operate a flexible and modern hybrid working policy. While this role is home-based in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, travel across the devolved nations and occasional travel elsewhere in the UK will be required.

Policy and Public Affairs Officer (Devolved Nations)

£34,839 pa plus excellent benefits

Home-based

35 hours per week, full-time

Permanent

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) is seeking a talented and motivated Policy and Public Affairs Officer to join our Devolved Nations team. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to policy development, advocacy and communications activity that helps improve child health outcomes across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. 

Working as part of the Policy and Public Affairs (Devolved Nations) team, you will play an important role in supporting the College’s policy and public affairs priorities. You will help build relationships with policymakers and stakeholders, support advocacy campaigns, develop policy positions and create engaging communications content that raises the profile of child health issues across the devolved nations. 

This varied and rewarding role offers the opportunity to work with a wide range of stakeholders, including paediatricians, senior College Officers, politicians, government officials, charities and healthcare organisations. 

Key responsibilities include: 

• Supporting the development of policy positions specific to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, ensuring they reflect the needs of RCPCH members and have influence across the wider UK policy landscape 

• Drafting consultation responses, policy briefings, reports and stakeholder communications on child health and paediatric issues

• Providing expertise and advice on the political, governmental and health service landscape within the devolved nations 

• Supporting the delivery of public affairs and stakeholder engagement activity, helping to build productive relationships with governments, policymakers and health sector organisations

• Producing content for websites, social media, newsletters and other digital communications channels to support advocacy and engagement objectives

• Drafting media content, including quotes, press releases and briefing materials, in collaboration with colleagues across the College

• Supporting senior College Officers and staff during meetings and engagement with policymakers and external stakeholders 

• Coordinating and supporting the work of Executive Committees across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

• Assisting with administrative and financial processes, including invoice processing and supplier registration 

• Working collaboratively with colleagues across the College to maximise the impact of policy, communications and public affairs activity 

Essential skills and experience include:

• Demonstrable experience in policy, public affairs, communications or a related field 

• Strong knowledge and understanding of policy and legislative processes in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

• Experience producing high-quality policy and communications outputs, including consultation responses, policy briefings, reports and media content

• Experience creating engaging content for digital channels, including websites, social media and email communications

• Excellent organisational and project management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and work to tight deadlines

• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills 

• The ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within a team environment

Desirable: 

• Experience working within healthcare, government, a membership organisation or the third sector 

• Knowledge of public health, health inequalities or wider health service issues

• Experience working on issues relating to children and young people

The RCPCH has more than 25,000 members and fellows worldwide and employs around 200 staff across the UK. Our devolved nations teams play a vital role in ensuring that the needs of children and young people are represented at every level of government and policy-making.

Our values – Include, Influence, Innovate and Inspire – are central to everything we do. We are committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds. We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates and disabled candidates who are under-represented at this level of the organisation.

We operate a flexible and modern hybrid working policy. While this role is home-based in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, travel across the devolved nations and occasional travel elsewhere in the UK will be required.

Closing date: 6 July 2026

External Communications Manager

Salary: £40,000–£42,000 FTE
Hours: 30 hours per week
Location: Remote, with regular travel to FitzRoy services, team and stakeholder meetings as agreed. The role requires attendance in London once per month and applicants must be able to commute to services in Norfolk, Nottingham and Hampshire.
Reports to: Head of Communications
Directorate: Business Development and Partnerships

FitzRoy is a national charity supporting people with learning disabilities, autism and mental health needs to live lives rooted in choice, meaning and happiness.

We are strengthening our external voice and looking for a confident, perceptive and warm communicator to help more people understand FitzRoy’s expertise and impact and increase our influence.

This is a moment of change for social care. We want to play a more active role in shaping its future, ensuring the people at the heart of it are seen, heard and involved in the decisions that matter.

About the role

As External Communications Manager, you will help build FitzRoy’s profile and reputation by identifying the stories, insight and opportunities that show what good support looks like in real life.

You will work closely with the Head of Communications, fundraising, business development and operational colleagues to turn external communications priorities into practical plans, content and opportunities.

This is a delivery role with real influence. You will be expected to bring ideas, advise colleagues, shape practical plans and turn opportunities into action.

What you will do

You will:

• develop proactive external communications activity that raises awareness of FitzRoy’s work, expertise and impact
• spot opportunities for FitzRoy to contribute constructively to sector conversations
• identify realistic opportunities for media, sector press, partner or local coverage
• gather stories, photos, video and quotes that help people understand what good support looks like in real life
• use social media, website content, audience insight and analytics to strengthen FitzRoy’s external profile

About you

You may come from charity communications, PR, journalism, public affairs, stakeholder communications or another external communications background.

You do not need to have worked in social care before, but you will need to be interested in people, willing to learn quickly and able to handle stories about people’s lives with care, respect and good judgement.

We are looking for someone who is:

• an excellent writer and editor
• confident developing clear, accessible content for different audiences
• warm, curious and able to build rapport quickly
• able to spot strong stories, ideas and opportunities
• confident creating social media and website content shaped by audience insight
• comfortable working independently and managing competing priorities
• able to think strategically about audiences and influence, while being practical about what can be delivered in a small team
• confident gathering content including photos, videos and quotes
• willing and able to travel to FitzRoy services and meetings as needed

A full clean driving licence and access to a car for work travel are required, as some services are not easily accessible by public transport.

Working at FitzRoy

You will join a small, friendly communications team with big ambitions. This role will suit someone who enjoys a mix of planning, writing, relationship-building, story-gathering and hands-on delivery.

You will help us show the difference good support makes – and help ensure the voices, experiences and achievements of people with learning disabilities, autism and mental health needs are seen and heard.

How to apply

To apply, please submit your application and a covering letter.

We do not expect your covering letter to address every point in the person specification. We would like you to tell us:

• what interests you about this role and FitzRoy
• three things you would bring to the role
• a piece of communications work you are proud of and why
• how you approach using social media, website content and audience insight to build external profile
• how you would approach telling stories about people’s lives with care, respect and good judgement

If you are using AI tools to write your application, please use them with caution. We are looking for your own voice and writing style.

We believe that change for people affected by ME won't just happen; it must be made. That's why action and impact are at the heart of everything we do. Whether that's helping people today with support, information, or care. Or working towards securing future change through our research and campaigning work. The intent of everything we do is to pursue positive impact for the lives, rights, and futures of people affected by ME.

As Communications Manager you will play a pivotal role in delivering strategic, impactful communications that advance Action for ME’s work, improve understanding and recognition of ME and support fundraising efforts

The Communications Manager will be responsible for the day-to-day delivery of the communications strategy, leading a team of two other communications staff. You will work closely with colleagues across the fundraising, policy, research and services departments, delivering clear and compelling storytelling, and maximising visibility across media, digital platforms and key stakeholder networks.

Key duties

Leadership and Management

• Work to ensure that people with ME are at the heart of everything we do through meaningful engagement and participation to influence all aspects of communications and marketing.

• Contribute to the development of, and then lead implementation of, the Communications Strategy, ensuring the appropriate involvement of key stakeholders, scoping, evaluating, and improving our practice.

• Maintain a data-insight led approach to the communications work providing regular management information and key performance indicator reports.

• Work as a member of the Extended Leadership Team.

• Line manage Communications Team members, supporting them to set and achieve performance objectives through regular one-to-ones and 12-monthly appraisals.

• Be responsible for Communications budget and the relationship with services providers required for the production of the charity’s digital and printed information and support resources.

Communications and Marketing

• Raise the profile of the impact of ME, and of Action for ME and its work, to enable the organisation to reach more people and better support need, by establishing a regular cadence of appropriate but innovative product across all main social media channels.

• Ensure fundraising is supported by embedding clear calls to action around donations and membership growth as a matter of course.

• Under the direction of the Director of Fundraising, develop all website, press and social media content for charity appeals.

• Market the charity’s Support and Healthcare services, including key digital and printed information and support resources, to the ME community and the professionals working with them, working closely with respective service leads.

• Contribute to income generation by working closely with the Director of Fundraising to develop the communication and marketing materials needed to implement the organisation’s Fundraising Strategy.

• Coordinate the charity’s response to any crisis communications, including developing appropriate crisis management plans and working outside of office hours as required.

• Establish effective systems/processes for gathering, supporting, maintaining, and managing case studies for a range of purposes (including press and media opportunities, public affairs and policy work, and fundraising).

• Draft and issue press releases and media statements and ensure appropriate follow-up by telephoning journalists, contacting picture desks etc. as appropriate.

• Alongside the CEO and any commissioned agency, develop relationships with key press, media and communications stakeholders to enhance the charity’s work.

• Oversee the production of the annual report, on budget, to schedule, taking overall editorial responsibility for content.

• Oversee the ongoing development of our digital engagement including our website and social media and being the point of contact on website issues.

• Fulfil the role of brand gateway keeper, ensuring all digital and printed communications, including information and support resources, adhere to brand guidelines, house style and organisational tone.

• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge and oversight of how ME and related key issues (e.g. Long Covid) are discussed in the media and wider ME community.

• Build networks to enhance the charity’s strategic communications and marketing work.

• Build and maintain an effective social media monitoring regime, ensuring fit for purpose rules of engagement are in place and applied consistently.

Other Key Accountabilities 

• Ensure that all relevant service standards are met including compliance with best practice, legal and regulatory frameworks and internal standards.

• Ensure best value in all our work.

• Undertake any other duty within your ability and within reason, as may be required, from time-to-time, at the discretion of your line manager.

• On occasions, provide management support and cover within the organisation, as needed.

• Act as an advocate for the charity and its work.

Person specification

Experience, Knowledge and Understanding 

• A minimum of 2 years’ experience working in a communications management role

• Experience of developing integrated, insight and audience-led communications plans including social media

• Experience of website and brand management

• Experience of delivering successful campaigns

• Experience of engaging with press and/or media including writing press releases and media briefings

• Experience of working collaboratively with different teams/departments

• Experience of working in charity communications (desirable)

• An understanding of ME and the impact on people affected by it (desirable)

• Experience of integrating fundraising with communications (desirable)

Skills, Behaviours and Values

• Adaptable and highly organised with an ability to work methodically, managing and prioritising a varied workload, use your own initiative, work independently, and work well in a team.

• Strong MS Office skills including the ability to use Word, Excel, databases and web-related programmes and software.

Reporting to the Director of Fundraising, you will play a key supporting role within the fundraising team, assisting the Corporate Partnerships Manager and the Communications team. With a key aim of delivering agreed activity and growing income from corporate partnerships.

This role focuses on supporting the identification and recruitment of new regional, national and international corporate supporters, while also playing a lead role in managing and stewarding existing partnerships, with particular responsibility for communications activity and delivery of sponsorship activities and events.

World Horse Welfare has seen a substantial growth in corporate support over the past four years, so this post presents significant opportunities to be part of a growing income stream as the charity celebrates its centenary in 2027.

Whether you’re a recent graduate with a willingness to learn or an experienced candidate ready to hit the ground running, we offer a competitive salary tailored to your experience — starting at £28,000 per annum for entry-level applicants and up to £34,000 per annum for those with proven expertise. You’ll benefit from a supportive environment, opportunities to grow, and the chance to make a real difference from day one.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Supporting New Business Development

• Assist in researching and identifying prospective regional, national and international corporate partners aligned with the organisation’s mission and values
• Support the development of tailored proposals, pitches and presentations for potential corporate supporters
• Help prepare outreach materials, including emails, decks, and briefing documents
• Maintain and update prospect pipelines and CRM records
• Attend meetings and events with prospective partners, taking notes and following up on actions
• Work closely with the charity’s rescue and rehoming centres and wider team to identify new corporate funding and partnership opportunities.

Managing Existing Corporate Partnerships

• Provide day-to-day support in the management of existing corporate accounts
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with partner contacts
• Ensure partnerships are delivered in line with agreed objectives and timelines
• Support the monitoring and reporting of partnership performance and impact
• Attend events linked to corporate supporters to represent the charity, with UK-wide travel sometimes required
• Help organise and attend large corporate volunteer days at the charity’s rescue and rehoming centres

Communications & Engagement

• Maintain a strong understanding of World Horse Welfare’s work to ensure relevance in our corporate partnership work
• Develop close working relationships with Communications team and work closely with them on creating and scheduling of agreed corporate content in line with communications schedules.
• Coordinate and deliver partnership communications, including newsletters, updates, impact reports, and social media content
• Lead on gathering content to form the basis of partnership communication obligations
• Work with internal teams to ensure consistent and high-quality messaging including drafting copy in line with brand messaging, obtaining appropriate images, developing related materials and ensuring approval processes are followed.
• Support the planning and execution of partner engagement activities, campaigns, and events
• Ensure partners receive appropriate recognition and visibility in line with agreements

Sponsorship & Agreement Management

• Assist in drafting and managing sponsorship agreements and partnership contracts
• Track and fulfil contractual benefits (e.g. branding, hospitality, social media, volunteering, speaking opportunities)
• Maintain accurate records of deliverables and ensure all obligations are met
• Support the review and renewal of agreements

Administration & Reporting

• Maintain accurate records within the CRM system
• Track income, pledges, and invoices
• Support preparation of reports and presentations
• Provide general administrative support to Corporate Fundraising Manager and Director of Fundraising in relation to corporate support

ABOUT YOU
Essential:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent organisational skills with attention to detail
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines
• Strong relationship-building skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Applications – including Word, Excel, PowerPoint
• Proactive and eager to learn
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Collaborative approach and working style, able to work effectively across teams
• Creative thinking
• Passion for the organisation’s mission
• Willingness to travel

Desirable:

• Experience of managing corporate partnerships, or comparable transferable skills
• Experience with using CRM systems for profiling and building relationships
• Understanding of charity corporate partnerships
• Business development experience
• Experience of working in a charity fundraising team