Policy communications manager jobs

At Bookmark, we have a simple vision: we want every child to read. We have seen significant growth over the past few years and have built a network of engaged supporters.  As we approach the halfway mark of our three-year strategy, we are recruiting an experienced major donor fundraiser to play a key role in the growth of our philanthropy programme, securing and developing relationships with high-net-worth individuals that change the story for children. 

This individual will join a successful team and work closely alongside another Philanthropy Manager to steward and cultivate existing supporters as well as manage a pipeline of prospects through their giving journey. You will work directly with the Head of Fundraising and be responsible for your own portfolio of major donors, trusts and family foundations. By August 2027 Bookmark aim to have reached 500,000 children with our literacy programmes, you could be part of that incredible goal.

Job Description

Delivering the Philanthropy plan

• Work with the Head of Fundraising and existing Philanthropy Manager to grow the major donor portfolio within the wider strategy 
• Build and maintain a portfolio of existing and new major donors who give or can give £15,000 or more, ensuring a first-class cultivation and stewardship journey
• Line manage the Philanthropy Executive and support their professional development, providing direction, support and guidance
• Work with our Fundraising Research & Administration Intern to identify new potential Bookmark major donors, working with Trustees, senior stakeholders, and our wonderfully supportive Partnerships Board to secure introductions and make asks of prospective supporters
• Design and deliver creative events and activities to generate income, cultivate and steward donors
• Create compelling, relevant and tailored funding proposals, reports and collateral to inspire and inform donors, reflecting Bookmark’s strong brand. The could include Trust and Foundation applications.
• Use Salesforce to manage the accurate recording, progression and forecasting of major donor relationships, enabling efficient reporting and KPI management 

Work with the rest of the Fundraising team

• Work closely with the rest of the Fundraising team to ensure opportunities to maximise income for the fundraising team
• Devise and deliver annual plans, together with associated budgets, in line with the charity’s strategic objectives
• Work with the Senior Leadership Team, Chair of Trustees and colleagues across the charity to ensure major donor fundraising activity is aligned with the charity’s wider plans and objectives
• Ensure that all activity helps to build Bookmark’s brand and is always brand compliant
• Ensure Bookmark’s ethical fundraising policy is adhered to

Person specification

Essential

• A successful track record in high value fundraising and acquisition, including a proven track record of securing five figure gifts
• Experience working towards and meeting, or exceeding, fundraising targets
• Experience developing relationships with high-net-worth individuals through all stages of the donor cycle 
• A demonstrable ability to build internal relationships and use senior stakeholders (CEO, Trustees, Senior Leadership Team) to help progress major donor relationships
• Experience working on successful charity events that meet fundraising targets
• Great verbal communication skills, demonstrated by strong relationships with donors and colleagues. You will have the skills to influence, motivate and persuade people to donate
• Demonstrable experience of writing successful, inspiring, emotive, and technically accurate cases for support and proposals tailored to a major donor audience
• Experience growing and managing a pipeline, planning for your portfolio and increasing income
• An understanding and ability to build budgets and work with financials
• Experience using of Office Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Experience using Salesforce, or another fundraising database

Desirable

• Line management experience
• Experience working with a fundraising board or high value committee
• Experience managing and developing a high value giving circle
• Experience running matching campaigns or large mailings

Contract type: Permanent, Full Time. Part-time (0.8/4 days) will be considered.

Salary: £40,000 to £42,000

Reporting to: Head of Fundraising 

Location: Bookmark Reading Charity, Charles House, 5-11 Regent Street Saint James's, London SW1Y 4LR. Minimum two days per week based at the Bookmark office 

Application deadline: 22nd February

Shortlisting: w/c 23rd February, with shortlisted candidates informed by 25th February 2026

1st Round interviews to be held in person in central London: Wednesday 4th March 2026

2nd Round interviews to be held online: Monday 9th March

Potential for discussion with senior stakeholder after 2nd round

Based at our Head Office, Leatherhead

Status:         12 month fixed-term contract 

Salary:       Band 7, £47,320 - £54,150 per annum, dependent on experience, plus 5% Fringe Allowance 

Hours:       Full-time 37.5 hours per week, Monday - Friday, 09:00 - 16:30, hybrid, 2 days in office, 3 days at home. 

________________________________________________________________________________

About Us:

Combat Stress is the UK’s leading mental health charity for veterans. For over a century we’ve been helping former service personnel deal with issues like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression. Today we provide specialist treatment and support for veterans from every service and conflict, focusing on those with complex mental health issues related to their military service. We provide a range of community, outpatient and residential mental health services to veterans with complex mental health problems. We provide services in-person, and via phone and online.

About the role:

The Social Media and Digital PR Manager will develop, oversee and help execute the social medial and digital content strategies, while also being hands-on responsible for the charity’s online public relations.

This role is subject to a DBS check.

What we offer:

You will work within a reputable charity that is constantly evolving to meet the needs of our veterans, that has a fantastic cause and a committed follower base.

Benefits:

•          27 days annual leave, with an increase to 30 days annual leave upon 5 years of continuous service, plus bank holidays

•          Stakeholder pension scheme - contributions matched up to 11% of salary

•       Discount shopping vouchers

•       Cycle to work scheme

•       Access to the Employee Assistance Programme

•          Flexible working

•          Access to Blue Light Card scheme

•          Death in Service Scheme

Plus many more.

The Hepatitis C Trust (HCT) is the UK patient-led charity for hepatitis C. The arrival of highly effective drugs allows us to cure almost everyone who has access to them. We now have an unprecedented opportunity to eliminate hepatitis C by 2030.

We are looking for a passionate and skilled manager who has excellent communication and organisational skills. Working under the guidance of the Southern Regional Manager, you will oversee an expanding network of peer programs and staff in London.

Experience of healthcare working with disadvantaged groups and an understanding of providing services to vulnerable people is essential, alongside an understanding of how lived experience can support this work.

Your work will involve maintaining and monitoring our existing HCT peer projects across London. This will involve providing support and supervision to existing staff, managing operational issues on a day-to-day basis and overseeing the management of separate projects. 

This post also involves regular liaison with external partners across the region, including key stakeholders such as Operational Delivery Network (ODN) managers for each area, alongside senior NHS colleagues, drug and alcohol services etc.

Our vision

Better nature for all. A future where everyone can experience, enjoy, protect and restore the natural world.

How is Finance a part of this vision

- Every pound invested in TCV delivers at least ten pounds in social, environmental and health benefits.
- Green social prescribing returns two pounds and forty two pence for every pound invested.

The central finance team works in partnership with TCV departments providing impact driven and robust monitoring and reporting. As a charity we ensure we are sustainable and efficient with strong governance and financial resilience.

The role

This is an exciting new role to work closely with the Finance Director and finance team. We are looking for a finance manager who can provide robust financial controls and reporting to help ensure we maximise our impact and make every penny count.

You will
- Lead on the preparation of monthly management accounts.
- Ensure compliance with controls and charity finance regulations.
- Ensure accuracy and timely reconciliations, forecasts, restricted funds analysis and budgets.
- Assist with the annual audits and statutory accounts preparation.
- Prepare VAT and Gift aid claims.
- Support teams with grant reporting.

A key part of this role will be building strong relationships and engaging with budget holders to guide them through financial principles and controls and create impactful reporting solutions.

About you

We are looking for someone who will bring:
- A recognised finance qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent) or relevant experience.
- Experience managing charity or non-profit finances.
- Strong financial analysis and reporting skills.
- Excellent communication and influencing ability, you can explain numbers in plain English.
- A genuine passion for making a difference through your work.

Why Join Us?
- Work for a cause that matters, every pound helps change lives.
- Join a supportive, ambitious, and friendly team.
- Enjoy flexible hybrid working and a culture that values balance and wellbeing.
- Opportunities for professional growth and development.

Hybrid working with at least 2 days a week in Doncaster - Gresley House.
Hours negotiable: 28 - 35 hours per week.

To fulfil the role, you must be resident in the UK and have the right to work in the UK.

TRC Sexual Abuse & Rape Support Greater Manchester is seeking an experienced and committed professional to join our team as our Services & Operations Manager.

Based across our sites in Trafford, you will provide clinical and operational oversight of TRC’s service areas (counselling, ISVA, helpline & digital, and Pathfinder) and provide direct day-to-day service management. You will lead on safeguarding, act as a line of support between the client-facing services and the CEO, line-manage our service coordinators, lead on triage meetings and coordinate TRC's centre.

This job would be ideal for someone who is passionate about supporting survivors of sexual violence, has line-management experience and has case management experience in a specialist support service.

Role Purpose:

Responsible Finance is the membership association for the UK’s Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFIs). CDFIs are community lenders, committed to delivering positive social impact, and offer fair and affordable finance to businesses, social enterprises and to people unable to access it elsewhere.

This is a pivotal moment to be joining the CDFI sector. Responsible Finance and CDFIs are poised for exciting growth following two record-breaking funding announcements in late 2024 which has seen the sector backed by Government and leading financial institutions including the British Business Bank and JPMorgan Chase. This follows Lloyds Banking Group becoming the first mainstream lender to invest in the CDFI sector earlier in the year.

The Government has also announced it is backing Responsible Finance to develop a roadmap for growth, and a new APPG for CDFIs has been set up with the official launch set for May 2026.

We are seeking an exceptional candidate to ensure that CDFIs from all sectors receive the policy and regulatory support they need to thrive.

You will manage key aspects of Responsible Finance’s policy work including consultation responses, briefings, MP outreach and building a supportive network of MPs, and writing articles to highlight key issues with the Government and our stakeholders. You will also lead on the production of RF’s annual impact report.

No prior knowledge about CDFIs is required so long as you have a keen interest to learn about the sector and are passionate about increasing access to fair finance for businesses, underserved communities and people. Do not be discouraged from applying if you do not meet all the criteria listed in this job description. If you know how to deliver results at the policy level and are a committed team player, with a can-do attitude, we want to hear from you!

 Key Responsibilities:

We are looking for a candidate experienced in Policy to take forward our work with the Government and other stakeholders on supporting the growth and resilience of the UK’s Community Development Finance Institutions.

• Policy: Supporting Responsible Finance’s work with the Government including on key initiatives such as the CDFI roadmap, the new APPG for CDFIs, and managing relationships with key departments such as Department for Business and Trade, HM Treasury, and the Financial Conduct Authority, as well as relationships at a policy level with partner organisations.
• Representation: Attending events and roundtables representing Responsible Finance.
• Consultation responses: Identifying and responding to Government and other stakeholder consultations to advocate for the CDFI sector, working closely with members to inform your responses.
• MP Engagement: lead Responsible Finance’s programme of MP outreach to continue to build a base of supportive MPs and peers within parliament.
• Partnership working: Contributing to relevant campaigns and policy forums to strengthen Responsible Finance’s influence on policies that impact the sector.
• Communications: Write clear and engaging policy briefs, reports, and articles to communicate Responsible Finance’s priorities to the Government and other stakeholders. This includes writing a monthly stakeholder newsletter article.
• Impact report: Lead on Responsible Finance’s annual member Impact Report, published annually in May.
• APPG: Spearhead Responsible Finance’s role as secretariat for the new APPG for CDFIs.
• Horizon scanning: Monitor the latest research, track political debates and identify new policy developments in the areas of community finance, inclusive growth and financial inclusion.

This is a varied and dynamic role, and candidates will need to work closely with the wider team to align our policy work with our programme work. This description is not exhaustive; it outlines the key tasks and responsibilities of the post which are subject to change. Any changes will be made in consultation with the post holder. 

Skills and Experience:

This role requires the following skills and experience:

• Strong demonstratable experience of delivering results in a policy role.
• Highly self-motivated and able to drive your own work forward, but equally a team player with a collaborative working style.
• Excellent communication skills including: 1) concise and plain English writing skills and ability to synthesise information into an easy to comprehend format/narrative; 2) public speaking in order to represent Responsible Finance at events.
• Strong relationship-building and interpersonal skills. Must be comfortable working with stakeholders at a range of levels, and building buy-in.
• Experience analysing and synthesising data and presenting findings clearly and succinctly. Fluency with applications such as Word and Excel is essential.
• Proven ability to manage multiple stakeholders and get the information needed from busy people.
• Willingness to travel and represent Responsible Finance at events.

Working as part of a small organisation, you will need to demonstrate flexibility and willingness to pitch in to help other members of the team.

An understanding of CDFIs would be helpful but is not essential.

How to Apply

Equity and fairness are at the core of our organisation and we are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can be their best.

Please apply via the Careers4Change website.

Please send your CV and responses to the following questions below.

• What appeals to you about this job/Responsible Finance and why do you think you’ll do a great job?
• You are working on multiple projects including writing large consultation responses requiring input from RF’s members. The CDFIs you need information from are really busy. How do you ensure deadlines are met on time and meet quality expectations?
• You are tasked with coming up with a plan for Responsible Finance’s new APPG for CDFIs, how would you go about this?
• Identify two key current policy issues or trends you think may impact the responsible finance sector. For each, please outline:
  • Why Responsible Finance should be at the table.
  • A specific strategy or action you would take to ensure our members’ voices are heard

We recognise that the use of AI tools is widespread these days, and it is often obvious when it’s used. We will automatically reject applications where the use of AI without any editing or your original thoughts is evident. The ability to be thoughtful and tailor to your audience is crucial for being successful in this role.

Reporting To: Chief Executive

Location: Remote, proximity to London, with expenses-paid travel around the UK

Contract: 12-month FTC maternity cover

Salary: c. £40,000

Date Closes: Tuesday 24th February

Job title: Communications Manager
Reports to: Senior Manager, Team and Operations, RSTMH  
Hours of work: Full time (this role is office based located near Russell Square and Chancery Lane, London)
Salary: £36,000 - £40,000 per annum, dependent on experience
Job type: Permanent

We are looking for a permanent and full-time member of staff to help develop and communicate RSTMH’s role within tropical medicine and global health. We need a passionate and creative communicator who can play a key role in meeting our communications objectives. This role is office-based in central London, with the option to work from home on Mondays.

RSTMH is a membership society formed in 1907, with around 1,800 members and Fellows in over 100 countries. We work to improve tropical medicine and global health by enabling and promoting research, sharing knowledge and convening networks through our members and Fellows and beyond. The Communications Manager will have the opportunity to develop and enhance RSTMH’s reputation as a credible and trusted voice in tropical medicine and global health.

This is a wide-ranging and exciting role. You will lead on implementing the organisation’s communications strategy, working with the leadership team to ensure it meets the aims of the wider RSTMH strategy. You’ll maintain and further develop the website and social media platforms, build links with media contacts, and source, commission and develop content. You’ll manage relationships with key suppliers, including website developers, strategic partners, digital media and creative agencies. You’ll also be responsible for delivering RSTMH’s newsletters to our members and Fellows, and global network of supporters.

We’re looking for someone ambitious and solutions-focused with a passion for communications to deliver creative and innovative content, and establish analytical systems to monitor our progress.

THE ROLE

• Implement RSTMH’s communications strategy, in line with the wider organisational goals – developing short- and long-term strategic plans
• Develop communication plans for all areas of RSTMH, working with department managers to execute
• Full ownership of the website, including content updating and monitoring for consistency and currency, managing any development work and integration with other systems
• Manage social media channels for RSTMH, and develop strategies to engage wider networks
• Accountable for our joint venture website, grow: including developing a strategy for updating and maintaining the listings and income generation through advertising and/or sponsored posts
• Commission, source, write, edit and proofread engaging and relevant content for the website and social media channels, providing editorial support as required and building a network of expert contributors
• Track engagement across media channels and email marketing, and produce monthly reports for leadership team showing activity
• Ensure RSTMH’s brand and editorial guidelines are maintained in all of the Society’s work, including all communications by the team
• Full responsibility for fortnightly newsletters for RSTMH members and Fellows, and monthly newsletters for non-members with strategies to convert non-members
• Create and maintain Society level communications calendar
• Monitor developments in global health and tropical medicine, especially in order to inform policy work with our Policy and Advocacy Committee
• Establish a network of media contacts for the Society to promote its work, signpost experts, and raise its own profile
• Represent RSTMH externally with key partners, at relevant conferences and industry events
• Support on income-generating activities across RSTMH, particularly new memberships, conversions, journal promotion and event marketing
• Establish and maintain systems to report and evaluate RSTMH’s digital platforms and activities
• Support key RSTMH spokespeople, including the Chief Executive, with media briefings, press releases and key messaging
• Fully manage the communications budget
• Responsibility for promotional materials including flyers, event signage, merchandise and handouts
• Working across all aspects of RSTMH communications

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential experience

• 5 years’ experience within a digital communication role
• 3 years’ experience developing and maintaining websites and social media for a campaign, cause or organisation
• Proven experience working in an editorial capacity, developing compelling copy for online audiences, with a varied portfolio of written work
• Experience of digital content creation, commissioning and management
• Proficiency in HTML newsletter creation, working to tight deadlines, collaborating with other departments, and using mail clients
• Experience of managing suppliers, partners and contributors
• Familiarity with design software for creating digital assets, such as Canva
• Knowledge of CRM databases
• Experience with digital advertising and promoted social media posts, analysing trends, reviewing efficacy, and adjusting campaigns in real time
• An understanding of the academic and research communities

Personal attributes

• Self-starter, able to work proactively and intuitively
• Work to varying timelines and prioritise own workload accordingly
• Passion for tropical medicine and global health
• Good team player, with an understanding of the challenges of working in a small team
• Resilience under pressure
• Flexibility to work outside of office hours, and to travel within the UK and beyond, as required
• Ability to communicate with a range of people of different levels, disciplines and backgrounds

Desirable

• Knowledge of Mosaico and SparkPost for building HTML emails
• Experience running websites on Drupal 10
• Some experience using CiviCRM
• Existing network of experts in the tropical medicine and global health space

The deadline for this role is 5pm GMT 4th March.

Please click the apply button and send your CV and a supporting statement of up to 1,000 words (where it asks for your cover message or covering letter) to include how your experience matches the duties and skills for the role, it will be sent automatically to us.
N.B. Applications submitted without a supporting statement may not be considered.

No agencies please.

Our Senior Trusts & Foundations Manager is primarily responsible for managing and generating income from our Trusts & Foundations portfolio (including Corporate Foundations). They identify new prospects, write compelling and persuasive proposals to secure significant gifts, actively develop relationships with key internal and external stakeholders and provide brilliant stewardship.

We are looking for someone who has a sound understanding of T&F fundraising. You’ll have a strong track record of nurturing relationships, securing multi-year and five-figure+ gifts, and a genuine passion for youth development. You are a creative problem solver with the ability to work independently and take ownership of projects – ensuring they run smoothly and effectively.

We are the Ocean Conservation Trust (OCT), a global Ocean conservation charity working towards a vision of a healthy Ocean for all. From our base at the National Marine Aquarium (NMA) in Plymouth, UK, we deliver conservation at scale through three interconnected pillars: Ocean Habitats, Ocean Advocacy, and Ocean Experiences. We believe that connecting people with the Ocean is key to driving behaviour change and catalysing systemic action for marine recovery.

This is an exciting opportunity for a skilled and purpose-driven Marketing & Communications Officer to join our passionate and committed team. Reporting to the Marketing & Communications Manager, you will develop and deliver the marketing and some of the communication plans and activities across the breadth of OCT’s work.

You’ll support the Marcoms Manager and Head of Advocacy and Engagement, bringing ideas across our OCT programmes that build our profile, generate income via our events, experiences and Learning team, support fundraising, promote the role of our visitor attraction, and amplify the impact of our Ocean conservation work. This role focuses on story-telling and content creation, adapting our key messages to our diverse audiences, driving media engagement and communicating across multiple channels.

As your role will work collaboratively with many departments and stakeholders within the OCT, you will be familiar with tailoring messaging and flexing your ways of working with the relevant department heads and team members to develop and deliver campaigns and activities in a timely manner, some of which also convert into income for the charity.

You’ll be able to demonstrate experience within Marketing or Communications roles. Having experience within conservation or charities would be desirable. You’ll be passionate about our cause, with a positive, can-do attitude and capacity for learning.

You’ll work Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm based at the National Marine Aquarium, in Plymouth. There will be occasions when you’re needed to work weekends and bank holidays to meet business needs, where you will be eligible for TOIL. There may be opportunity for flexibility to work from home on occasion, fitting around work priorities and other team members.  

We offer a competitive salary, continuous training, life assurance, staff discounts and a day off on your birthday and the opportunity to work in an excellent working environment. 

For more information about the role, please download the Job Description and Person Spec.

Salary £26,000 - £29,000 dependent on experience

The closing date for applications is 9am Friday 20th February 2026.

In line with current legislation all applicants must be eligible to live and work in the UK. As part of the recruitment process, you will be asked to provide documented evidence of eligibility in the form of a passport, birth certificate or a visa share code. 

The OCT operates an Equality and Diversity Policy and is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community – a place where we can all be ourselves and succeed on merit. All applications will be judged solely on merit, however we particularly welcome applications from groups currently under represented in the workforce.

Only candidates invited for interview will be contacted.

Prospectus is pleased to be working with a silo-busting global nonprofit working to open up and transform public procurement and contracting worldwide to deliver better outcomes for people and planet. We are recruiting for a proactive, fast-moving Content and Communications Manager to join their small but impactful global team working in over 50 countries on every continent. This is a six-month contract with the possibility of extension, to be based remotely.

The Content and Communications Manager will help them tell stories, capture knowledge, and engage a global movement to drive transformational change in one of government’s most important but overlooked functions. Key responsibilities will include developing creative content such as compelling impactful stories, extending messaging to new audiences, growing their media presence, providing organisational support relating to the website, reporting and engaging new funders.

The successful candidate will have a demonstrable track record of impactful communication and content. You will be an excellent communicator with a strong eye for detail and policy and a confident and enthusiastic writer (if you are not, this is not the job for you). You will be proactive, fast-moving, and strive to elevate their global team. Design and content management software come easy to you and you will bring strong stakeholder engagement skills. Experience in tech, data or the financial transparency field would be beneficial (not essential), and whilst you may not have procurement experience, you must be willing to learn and have an eye for the specifics in communicating what works and why it matters.

To apply, please submit your CV and a two-page supporting statement, preferably in PDF format. The statement should outline your motivation for joining the organisation and why you feel you would be a good fit for this role. You should also demonstrate your experience and skillset with examples that support the Key Requirements section in the Appointment Brief on the Prospectus website. As part of your statement you may also share links to showcase examples of your content and communications campaigns/messaging (please limit to 3 examples maximum)

As a specialist Recruitment Practice Prospectus are committed to building inclusive and diverse organisations, and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Prospectus invest in your journey as a candidate and are committed to supporting you in your application.

The Food Ethics Council's mission is to put people, animals and planet at the heart of every food decision. We're looking for a part-time Communications lead to take the lead on designing and delivering communications that support us to engage with our key audiences and tell strong authentic stories about the work we do in the food system.

Duties: include supporting the Executive Director in developing and delivering the communications strategy, providing strategic input on framing and language of our work, using social media to develop communities of interest, website management, designing social media assets, liaising with comms teams in organisations we partner with, writing and coordinating blogs and/ or video content. See job description for list of main duties.

Employee benefits: We offer flexible working. We will pay a pension contribution of 4% of your basic pay per month (minimum employee contributions required in line with pensions law, unless you choose to opt out). Annual leave - 25 days per year + public holidays FTE 

#Communications Lead #Flexible Working #Remote Working #Engagement #Storytelling #Digital

Job Title: Finance Manager/Senior Finance Controller

Contract length: Permanent

Location: Hybrid

Hours per week: 35

Salary:  £55-60K pa depending on experience and knowledge

Closing date for applications: Sunday 22nd February 2026 , we reserve the right to end the vacancy before the closing date; interested candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible

First interview: First interviews will be held over Microsoft Teams

Second interview: Candidates successful at first interview will be invited to visit Mayhew and to have a second interview in person.

We are looking for our next Finance Manager / Senior Financial Controller, someone who shares our compassion for animal welfare and wants to play a central role in stewarding Mayhew’s financial resources for the greatest impact.

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, you will work closely with senior colleagues across Mayhew—including members of the Senior Management Team—to support strong financial direction, responsible stewardship, and effective, mission‑driven decision‑making across the charity.

This is a highly visible and hands‑on leadership role. You will lead Mayhew’s day‑to‑day finance function, ensuring strong financial controls, good practice financial management, and timely, accessible financial reporting for colleagues, trustees and partners. You will be responsible for all aspects of financial planning, management accounting, statutory reporting and SORP compliance, as well as supporting operational teams with practical financial insight and advice.

You will also help develop and strengthen financial systems and processes, recognising that—as a mid‑sized charity with evolving needs—Mayhew continues to refine its structures to best support our work. You will lead and support a small finance team, modelling an open, collaborative and hands‑on working style.

Our London site—our historic rescue and rehoming centre—is at the heart of our UK operations. You will collaborate with colleagues across operations, veterinary services, fundraising, people and engagement to ensure financial clarity underpins good decision‑making as we continue to care for dogs and cats in need.

In this role, you will:

• Lead, direct and deliver all aspects of Mayhew’s finance function, ensuring strong, proportionate controls and high‑quality financial information.
• Engage, influence and collaborate with senior colleagues and trustees to support the effective delivery of our strategic and operational goals.
• Provide clear financial guidance to non‑finance colleagues and act as a supportive, trusted partner across the organisation.
• Lead and support a small finance team, encouraging a positive, collaborative and hands‑on culture.
• Strengthen and improve finance systems and processes to increase efficiency, consistency and compliance.

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

• Strong charity finance experience, including Charity SORP (FRS 102), fund accounting, statutory reporting, financial planning, budgeting, and knowledge of VAT and Gift Aid.
• Hands‑on experience of month‑end accounting, financial controls, cashflow management, and management accounts preparation.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to translate financial information clearly for non‑finance colleagues and trustees.
• A collaborative, supportive and pragmatic working style, with confidence to improve processes and work flexibly within a smaller organisation.
• Experience leading and developing a small team through open, positive and supportive management.

Please note that successful candidates will be asked to evidence their Right to Work in the UK post-job offer – we do not hold a sponsor licence therefore we are unable to provide Visa sponsorship.

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Head of Communications to come and join our team providing maternity cover until January 2027 during a period of organisational growth.

Location – This role is mainly working from home with one day a week in our London office (usually a Monday). Occasional travel to our other programme sites (currently Stoke-On-Trent, Redcar, Middlesbrough and Scotland) will also be required.

Salary – Circa £60,000

Employment Type – Fixed term until January 2027, 35 hours per week

Team – Communications team

About you

We are looking for someone who can demonstrate the following:

· Strong experience in strategic communications, ideally within a start-up, growing, complex or place-based organisation.

· Experience setting up and embedding communications functions, including establishing foundations and building approaches as priorities evolve.

· Significant experience in people leadership, including developing others and building a strong, collaborative working culture.

· Experience influencing senior stakeholders and working with an SLT, including supporting government policy, media, funding and influence related activity.

· Strong content, storytelling and copywriting expertise and the ability to communicate a clear organisational narrative.

About the role

The responsibilities of this role include:

· Overseeing and ensuring the delivery of national and local communications strategies and plans, including national content activity and priority local campaigns and stakeholder engagement.

· Leading the set-up and embedding of new place-based communications functions.

· Leading and overseeing the planning and delivery of Thrive at Five’s 2026 Impact Report, communications relating to evaluations and learning, and our fifth-year anniversary, working closely with evaluation and fundraising colleagues.

· Maintaining and strengthening relationships with key national and local stakeholders in line with our communications strategy and goals.

· Providing professional and operational leadership and coaching to the wider Communications team to ensure they deliver to a high standard.

About us

Thrive at Five is a national charity focused on giving every child the best possible start in life. We know the foundations for life and learning are built in the earliest years, from pregnancy to five. By working alongside families, communities and local partners, we help build stronger, more connected support for parents, so more children get what they need to thrive and reach a good level of development by age five.

Thrive at Five is a relatively young organisation but with an already strong national and political profile, having been called out in Parliament for our ways of working in Stoke-on-Trent and invited to be interviewed at the 2025 Civil Society Summit by the Secretary of State for Education. We have grown rapidly in our first four years, with a growing team of nearly 40 across the country. 2026 will be a year of further growth and milestones for the charity as we celebrate our fifth-year anniversary and expand into our third and fourth regions. This will involve recruiting for a new teams, establishing our programmes and beginning to co-design and implement our work in partnership with communities.

About our benefits

· Pension contributions – We will contribute 3% and you can contribute 5% towards your pension through NEST.

· Hybrid working with one anchor day a week in our central London office near to Victoria train station, coach station and underground.

· 25 annual leave days per year plus bank holidays.

· In addition to your laptop and phone provided by us, you can also receive a £100 contribution towards your home-working set up.

· £100 contribution towards your professional body membership

Please note that as this role is subject to a successful Basic Level Disclosure check through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). If you have any unspent convictions, but wish to apply for this role, please advise us in your application. The successful candidate will also need to provide satisfactory references and current right to work in the UK.

To apply for this role, please submit your cover letter and CV by following the Apply Now button. Applications will be reviewed and shortlisted as they are received. While the closing date is midnight on Wednesday, 18 February 2026, we may close the vacancy earlier if a suitable candidate is identified.

Grade: 2

Hours: Full time, 37.5 hours per week (flexible working considered)

Position type: Permanent

Responsible to: Head of Global Communications & PR

Direct reports: Communications & PR Officer

Location: Truro, Cornwall (Hybrid) or Remote (UK based) with some travel to Truro

ROLE PURPOSE:

This role works to raise awareness of the issues faced by people around the world who have lost their homes to disaster. It creates positive media coverage for ShelterBox, profiling us as experts in emergency shelter, as well as supporting fundraising with media engagement and PR activities. The role also works to ensure colleagues across the organisation can talk about our work accurately and consistently by producing key messaging about our international programmes.  

WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

ShelterBox is seeking a motivated and proactive individual with excellent attention to detail and a high degree of accuracy.  

We are looking for someone who enjoys writing a variety of materials like press releases, statements, and Q&As. You will also enjoy finding stories and ensuring they are told ethically. You will enjoy creating news, working with the media and being involved in multiple projects.  

This is a great opportunity to be part of a dynamic fundraising and communications department working together to achieve our mission of no one without shelter after disaster. 

The role requires someone who is able to pivot priorities quickly when needed. When major disasters happen, our teams need to be able to flex very quickly to that focus. 

MAIN ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

This role works as part of a small and dynamic Communications & Digital team. You will be focused on gaining media coverage for our international programmes that support people after disaster. You will understand the issues and opportunities of our work and secure media interviews. You will also support our fundraising campaigns and events with media engagement. 

You will work closely with the Head of Global Communications & Digital and colleagues across the Fundraising & Communications department to develop and deliver communications and media engagement activities supporting campaigns and driving awareness.   

This role also supports wider departments by producing centralised messaging to ensure colleagues talk about our work consistently and are aligned with our brand.  

The role line manages a Communications & PR Officer. It also works with the wider communications and fundraising teams on integrated campaigns, ensuring key messaging is aligned and PR angles and issues are considered. 

There may be occasional opportunity to travel when appropriate to countries where ShelterBox works for media opportunities. This travel is not mandatory. There will be regular travel to Truro head office to support media interviews, deliver training, and organisation collaboration days. Flexibility with working hours sometimes required especially during sudden-onset emergencies (TOIL available for additional hours.) 

PR & Comms Lead 

• Manage a variety of communications and PR activities to raise awareness of the needs of people who have lost their homes to disaster. 

• Produce a range of high-quality written materials for different audiences. 

• Develop strong working relationships with people across the organisation, including in our fundraising teams, and international programmes. 

• As a PR and communications subject matter expert, take a proactive approach to media engagement and communications. 
• Act as a Strategic EDI Liaison (see EDI role profile), embedding and leading EDI principles within your role by integrating the EDI strategy and action plan into departmental activities, ensuring inclusive approaches are applied, actions are delivered, and progress is monitored. In addition, work collaboratively with the wider Strategic EDI Liaison team to share good practice, coordinate cross-departmental initiatives, and support a consistent, organisation-wide approach to progressing EDI priorities.

Media Engagement 

• Maximise media opportunities for ShelterBox across national and regional, print, digital, and broadcast media. 

• Have a good understanding of the media landscape and actively keep across relevant stories and trends. 

• Work with colleagues across the organisation to find stories and create news. 

• Prepare and use a variety of high-quality, effective PR tools including press releases, quotes and comments, features, blogs and photo opportunities. 

• Sell-in stories, respond to media enquiries, and secure media interviews. 

• Deliver interview training for colleagues. 

• Prepare messaging and briefings for spokespeople for interviews and events. 

• Ensure plans are ready to roll-out when major disasters happen - including comms plans, media lists, trained spokespeople, quotes and other resources. 

• Identify, develop and maintain great relationships with relevant journalists, PR agencies, Freelancers, supporters e.g. community fundraisers and Rotary groups.

Communications 

• Produce high-quality written materials, including core messaging, Q&As, and occasional reports summarising our work, ensuring messaging is consistent and on brand.   

• Ensure colleagues across the organisation have the messaging they need to talk about our work in a way that supports our brand and tone of voice. 

• Work as part of a team (social, website, celebrity, brand, content, fundraising) to deliver integrated campaigns. 

• Work to protect our reputation, supporting the organisation with crisis comms activities and playing an active role in the Crisis Management Team. 

• Offer creative ideas and planning for communications campaigns. 

• Occasional management of external agencies. 

• Ensure PR and communications activity is evaluated to determine success and improve performance. 

Other Responsibilities

• Undertake any other duties that are commensurate with the post. 
• Carry out the duties of post in accordance with the ShelterBox's policies and procedures on Health and Safety and take responsibility for ensuring personal health and safety. 

• Work flexibility, prioritise workload and work effectively as part of a team.