Political jobs

We have an exciting opportunities for a Qualified and/ or Trainee Multidisciplinary Advocates to join our established and friendly Advocacy Team. 

We work for Rethink Advocacy, which is part of Rethink Mental Illness a national charity that has been transforming the lives of people severely affected by mental illness for over 50 years.

As an unqualified, inexperienced independent multi-disciplinary advocate, you will be required to enrol on the Level 4 Independent Advocacy Practice qualification and complete the course within a set timescale, using protected study time to focus on this. You will shadow experienced team members and then be observed providing advocacy to those who are eligible for our services until you are able to pick up a caseload of your own. You will receive training in the different remits of advocacy, instructed and non-instructed advocacy and safeguarding and be supported to develop a thorough understanding of the role and boundaries of advocacy. The role involves acting on the instruction of the people you support, empowering them to have a say in their situation, to understand their rights and any options open to them and supporting them towards self-advocacy. When providing non-instructed advocacy, you will ensure that the unique preferences and views of the person are taken into consideration in any decisions made by care providers.

As a qualified and / or experienced independent advocate, you will provide statutory and / or non-statutory independent advocacy to those who are eligible for the service within the community or care settings. This may include secure facilities, hospitals, care homes, supported living facilities and people within their own homes or temporary accommodation.

You will provide statutory and / or non-statutory independent advocacy within the community or care settings. This may include secure facilities, hospitals, care homes, supported living facilities and people within their own homes or temporary accommodation.

Advocacy is having someone by your side, and on your side, when you want to be more involved in decisions about your care, treatment and living arrangements. An advocate can talk through the situation you’re currently in and the options open to you. They can help you decide what you want and then communicate it to people. This is particularly useful if it’s difficult to understand things or to speak up and be heard.

Our Wandsworth and Richmond service provides a range of specialist advocacy services to Adults (and children) as appropriate across a range of disciplines.  We provide a range of statutory (instructed or non-instructed) and non-statutory advocacy support in secure units, hospitals, care settings or in the community, working with a range of health and social care partners.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion 

Diversity is important to us and we appreciate difference through difference, inclusiveness and belonging. It gives us a deeper understanding of the world, our society and the diverse communities we’re working with. By including everyone, we are able to draw on the unique experiences and expertise of our people to help shape and enrich our workplace and improve our services. One way we are doing is through our valued staff networks which play a critical and highly valued role in keeping us focused on creating a diverse, inclusive and engaged employer.  We recognise and support staff networks and support groups for our ethnically diverse and LGBTQIA+ colleagues. We are also proud to have been awarded Disability Confident Employer status and are a signatory to the Business in the Community Race at Work Charter. 

We aim for our workforce to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve; for those who work for us to feel heard, valued and feel they belong; and for our work to help tackle wider mental health inequalities. We therefore actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including applicants with lived experience of mental illness, those who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual and any other gender identity not expressed here (LGBTQIA+); people who are neurodiverse, have a health condition, or a disability or hidden disability and people from an ethnically diverse background - regardless of your age, religious or spiritual belief, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, political view or socio-economic status.

Becoming a truly anti-racist organisation 

We have an ambition of become a truly anti-racist employer, campaigning organisation and service provider - and in our efforts to influence policy and wider societal factors impacting on mental health set out in our anti-racist statement . We have designed a multi-year anti-racist programme of work contained in our Race Equality Action Plan which demonstrates our intention to hold ourselves accountable and be judged on our progress on becoming a truly anti-racist organisation. You can read more about our progress here. 

We are seeking a passionate and committed individual to join our team, with a strong dedication to advocacy and campaigning within the context of a faith-based international development organisation.

In this role, you will take the lead in engaging both existing and potential supporters, inspiring them to take action and support our mission. Your work will focus on addressing the root causes of global poverty and injustice by promoting key issues and campaigns that align with the projects we support in the global South—particularly in communities across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

You will play a vital role in amplifying the voices of marginalized communities, raising awareness, and mobilizing public and faith-based support for meaningful, systemic change.

About the Role

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Strategic Communications and Policy Influencing Lead to spearhead the implementation of the Safeguarding Resource and Support Hub (RSH) communications and policy influencing strategy globally. The position will shape and oversee the programme’s global communications and policy influencing strategies, ensuring coherence across national and global levels.

This role is central to translating strategy into action at national and global levels: working closely with country teams, donors, civil society, and survivor-led organisations to strengthen prevention, accountability, and justice frameworks. The role will align communications outputs to influencing and other strategic goals and making sure national and global work connects. The programme will support teams across Bangladesh, Jordan, Pakistan and Syria, as well as other countries still to be decided. 

About the Programme

The Safeguarding Resource and Support Hub (RSH) is a programme that aims to support organisations in the aid sector to strengthen their safeguarding policy and practice against Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Sexual Harassment (SEAH). RSH supports organisations working in both the humanitarian and development sectors and is driven by the needs of smaller national or local organisations in developing countries.The programme is funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) until 2030.

How to Apply

If you are interested in joining our dynamic team, please refer to the Person Specification and submit your tailored CV and cover letter to the link below. The deadline for applying is Sunday, 26th October 2025. Due to the high volume of applications, we are only able to respond to shortlisted candidates.

As this is a UK-based role, please confirm your eligibility to reside and work in the UK as part of your cover letter.

Join our team! We are looking for a Research and Policy Officer 

Are you a policy-oriented researcher with strong economic analytical skills and a commitment to gender equality? 

If so, this could be the role for you.

The Women’s Budget Group (WBG) is the UK’s leading feminist economics think tank, providing evidence on women’s economic position and proposing policy alternatives for a gender-equal economy.

You will produce research analysis on women's economic circumstances, helping us to translate complex ideas into policy recommendations for a more gender-equal economy. 

WBG is committed to diversity and inclusion. We use positive action under section 159 of the Equality Act in relation to disability or race. This means that if we have two candidates of equal merit in our process, we will seek to take forward the disabled or Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic candidate in order to diversify our staff team. 

Hours:  30 hours per week for full pay (WBG operates a shorter working week). We are happy to consider flexible working arrangements and welcome secondment applications. Some out of hours working will be required for which TOIL will be given. 

Location: Hybrid London / remote with at least one day per week in the office.  The postholder must be resident in the UK with the right to work in the UK. Office is in Vauxhall, London. 

Duration: Nine-month contract (with possible extension to one year subject to work return of postholder).

Salary: £37,377 for 30-hour week plus 5% pension contributions.

Line management: Reports to the Head of Research and Policy

About the Role

This is an entry-level role in the UK’s leading international consultancy and research organisation in the field of social development. As a Technical Analyst (TA), you will primarily support our work on Gender-Based Violence (GBV), with the potential to work in other thematic areas such as climate justice and wider research (see below for more information on our different thematic areas).

We are seeking candidates who are self-starting, flexible and keen to acquire diverse experience in the field of social development – and who will thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced, specialist social development consultancy organisation serving the wider international development sector.

We are committed to creating a diverse workforce and welcome applications from qualified candidates from all ethnic, cultural, and social backgrounds. We wish to particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates, who are underrepresented in our organisation.

Read on to discover more about the role, our organisation, and what we’re looking for in your application.

About the Team

The GBV portfolio, a crucial part of our Technical Team, works on a range of issues related to the prevention of and response to GBV. As a Technical Analyst, your role would involve providing research for the Ending Violence against Women and Children Helpdesk. You could also be involved in providing support to knowledge products and guidance material, policy and programme guidance, specialist research, and monitoring and evaluation of GBV.

How to Apply

If you are interested in joining our dynamic team, please refer to the Person Specification and submit your tailored CV and cover letter to the link below. The deadline for applying is Sunday, 2nd November 2025. Due to the high volume of applications, we are only able to respond to shortlisted candidates.

As this is a UK-based role, please confirm your eligibility to reside and work in the UK as part of your cover letter.

About us

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

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

Our organisation has a privileged opportunity to make a difference to the lives of millions of young people, helping to inspire and prepare them for the fast-changing world of work, and we want you to help us make it happen.

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

About the role

The Careers & Enterprise Company (CEC) is looking for a Senior Manager - Network to support our mission to help every young person find their best next step. You will ensure consistent high-quality delivery and support for all Careers Hubs across the country.

You will play a key role in delivering CEC’s current and future ambitions through our network of Careers Hubs, including the government’s ambition for a new work experience guarantee to ensure that all pupils participate in 2 weeks’ worth of work experience by the time they leave year 11. Careers Hubs will be a key coordinating and delivery mechanism for this guarantee.

You will balance national intent with local priorities, ensuring national government agenda is delivered upon through the lens of place and devolution. You will work closely with senior stakeholders across Strategic and Local Authorities who we partner with in the delivery of careers education through Careers Hubs.

Reporting to the Associate Head of Network Development, with a team of 8 Area Managers, you will provide a central point of accountability, senior stakeholder management and operational support to Area Managers.

You will contribute as a member of the senior management team of Network and Employers and the wider organisation. Contributing towards the strategy and operational delivery and leading/co-leading on cross Network and Employer and cross-company projects.

This role suits someone who can lead the delivery of a large-scale national programme and is a natural relationship builder. You will thrive on delivering change management and be comfortable working through ambiguity to secure lasting impact. The role will require travel across the country.

To apply, please visit our website via the apply button, complete the application form and cover letter and upload an anonymised version of your CV.

Please describe the following in your cover letter:

• How do you meet the experience, skills and competency criteria detailed in the job profile?
• What do you consider the biggest risk and opportunities to careers education?
• Why would you like to work for Careers and Enterprise Company?
• Right to Work 

Closing date: 7th November 2025 (Midnight)

It is our policy to review all applications within two weeks from the closing date. If you do not hear from us within three weeks following the closing date, then your application has unfortunately not been successful on this occasion. We are unable to provide feedback to candidates who have not been shortlisted and attended an interview.

Location: Northmead House, Creekmoor, Poole, Dorset – CAN operates hybrid working

Hours: 37 hours per week

Salary £45,000 – £50,000 per annum

Contract length: 1 Year initially  

Closing date: 5th November midday

Interviews: 14th November ONLINE

The Role:
We are seeking a dynamic and strategic Deputy Chief Executive to join our Senior Leadership Team. This pivotal role will work closely with our Chief Executive to ensure our internal governance, planning, and systems are robust and future-ready.

About CAN (Community Action Network):
CAN is a respected local infrastructure charity proudly holding the NAVCA Quality Award. We are a membership-led organisation committed to strengthening Dorset’s voluntary and community sector. Our mission is to serve and champion local charities and community groups, helping to build strong, healthy, diverse, and thriving communities.

We hold two national quality assurance awards and our work is underpinned by NAVCA’s four functions of a Local Infrastructure Charity:

• Leadership and advocacy
• Partnerships and collaboration
• Capacity building
• Volunteering

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic leadership and operational oversight across the organisation.
• Drive performance by setting clear expectations and evaluating outcomes.
• Contribute to the delivery of our strategic plan, Action With Heart, aligning with our vision, mission, and values.
• Act as a key ambassador and representative for CAN, deputising for the Chief Executive as required.
• Collaborate with the Senior Leadership Team to identify and secure new income streams, strengthening our financial sustainability.

About You:
You are an experienced leader with a passion for the voluntary and community sector. You bring:

• Proven experience in strategic planning, governance, and performance management.
• Strong financial acumen and a track record of income generation.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• A collaborative and values-driven approach to leadership.

Why Join Us?
At CAN, you’ll be part of a dynamic team making a real difference in Dorset. We offer a supportive and flexible working environment, opportunities for professional development, and the chance to shape the future of a vital local charity.

We offer a competitive salary and great benefits, including contributory pension scheme, 25 days holiday (pro-rata) plus all bank holidays, season train ticket loan, flexible working and much more.

We are seeking a Finance Business Manager with excellent business partnering skills to support our Family Placement Services. The successful candidate will assist and support the Assistant Director of Finance and Family Placement Services in all aspects of financial management.

The Barnardo's Finance Business Partner Team provides leaders and managers with financial data, analysis, alongside providing support in order to equip Budget holders to make effective business decisions. The team works proactively and strategically monitoring key financial risks and opportunities through financial data, modelling and reporting in relation to period end, forecasting and budgeting. Driving strong financial acumen across the organisation to achieve corporate objectives. 

Experience required: -

• 2 years' experience as working at managerial level within business partnering team, supporting budget holders
• Costings and Tender applications
• Providing managers with solutions to problems
• Understanding of the voluntary sector and government funding
• System literate, ideally with experience of Dynamics 365
• Producing budgets, forecasts and monthly management accounts, including variance analysis
• Proven written and verbal communication skills, including with managers.
• Line management

Please note due to the high volume of applications for some posts, this advert might close before the displayed closing date. We recommend that you apply for this role as soon as possible.

When completing your application please refer to your skills knowledge and experience in relation to the Person Specification, Job Description and Additional Information document (if applicable). This should be done with an understanding of the context of the service described. 

We are committed to welcoming people from a diverse background, culture and experience. Barnardo's believe in creating equality of opportunity in the workplace and supporting people to manage their work-life balance; we are therefore are open to offering flexible working arrangements.

Pay & Reward Framework

We know that our colleagues go above and beyond in delivering our vital work, driven by their passion and commitment to Barnardo's values.  We also know that we can only realise our ambitions and achieve better outcomes for more children, thanks to the talent, hard work and creativity of our people. 

For all these reasons, we are committed to a new approach to pay and reward, to ensure it is fair, attractive and progressive, which was rolled out in April 2023. This is a positive change for the charity, and a part of our People & Culture Strategy. It will assist us in supporting colleagues to belong, thrive and grow in their colleague journey at Barnardo's and in time will offer clear routes of progression for colleagues in both their career and their pay. 

Whilst the full pay band and salary range is advertised, our approach to starting salaries is to appoint between the minimum to mid-point of the pay band – this ensures that pay steps are available to reward our colleagues annually based on their contribution to excellence and alignment to our values and behaviours.  More details on Barnardo's pay framework can be found upon application. 

Benefits

Workplace Offer: What it means for you

Our hybrid working initiative is based on trust, flexibility and empowerment. We understand our workplace offer means different things to different people, and we encourage those conversations. This may mean working at one of our stores, services, working at home, in the community, at one of our Collaboration Hubs or depending on the role any combination of these. Please read through the advert carefully to understand the remits of hybrid working that will be specific to the role.

• Barnardo's believe in creating equality of opportunity in the workplace and supporting people to manage their work-life balance; we are therefore open to offering flexible working arrangements.
• Annual Leave entitlement for full-time colleagues is 26 days per annum, increasing to 27 days per annum, after 3 years Barnardo's service, 29 days per annum, after 5 years Barnardo's service and 30 days per annum, after 7 years Barnardo's service. Those working less than full time are entitled to the same level of holiday pro rata
• The ability to buy up to another 5 days annual leave via our HolidayPlus scheme
• A host of family friendly leave options including company Maternity Paternity and Adoption pay; together with all family additional leave options
• Service related sick pay from day 1
• Access to a Group Personal Pension with a matched 4% or 6% contribution from Barnardo's. Ability to pay via salary sacrifice to garner both tax and NI savings on your own contribution
• Death in service cover of 4x annual earnings for all staff contributing to our Group Personal Pension
• Cycle2work scheme
• Interest free season ticket loans
• Discounts and cashback from at high street shops including major supermarkets, cinemas, gyms, leisure/theme parks, holidays and much more via our Benefit Portal
• 20% discount at Barnardo's stores
• Opportunity to purchase a health cash plan to claim towards dental, glasses, therapy etc
• Free access to round the clock employee assistance program for advice and support
• Access to Barnardo's Learning and Development offer

*T&C's apply based on contract

About Barnardo's

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and cultivating a culture where everyone can belong and thrive through inclusion and connectivity. We want our workforce to be reflective of the communities we work with, and for equality, diversity and inclusion to be embedded in everything we do. We are a Disability Confident Leader, are progressing our ambition to be an anti-racist organisation with Anti-Racism Commitments and actions in place and have networks for colleagues who are disabled, LGBT+, Black and Minoritised Ethnic and Women. We particularly encourage applications from Black and Minoritised Ethnic and/or disabled candidates who are currently underrepresented in our workforce. For disabled applicants, we offer reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.

Policy Officer-Wales

Based at home, situated across Wales including regular travel around the country and to the Senedd, Cardiff.

22.5 hrs per week

Fixed term post 2 years - with possible extension

Circa £35,000 p.a FTE depending on experience

Make a difference for kidney patients in Wales!

Are you passionate about influencing policy and driving change? Do you want to be part of a growing team making a real impact on the lives of people with kidney disease?

We’re looking for a Policy Officer – Wales to help shape policy, build relationships, and advocate for better support and care for kidney patients. In this brand-new role, you’ll work for Kidney Care UK and Kidney Wales, engaging with policymakers, healthcare professionals, and those affected by kidney disease.

You’ll spend time at the Senedd, building connections with local politicians and councillors, and ensuring the voices of kidney patients are heard loud and clear. With your knowledge of Welsh Government structures (or similar UK experience), you’ll help drive our campaigns and influence change.

This is a fantastic opportunity to make a tangible difference, working flexibly in a supportive team. If you’re ready to champion kidney patients and shape policy in Wales, we’d love to hear from you!

Key Responsibilities

• Develop or participate in work programs and undertake projects to explore policy issues under the guidance of the Policy Director of Kidney Care UK and the Managing Director of Kidney Wales.
• Support the research, development and dissemination of policy positions in Wales.
• Work with other team members to deliver events/reports or campaigns as needed
• Keep up to date with the policy department and charity work to avoid duplication and ensure good communications with our colleagues.
• Contribute to the newly created All Wales Cross Party Group.
• Undertake desk-based research involving data collection and the synthesis of information from relevant sources.
• Seek out opportunities for communications and influencing in the Welsh parliament, including the need for a kidney group. 

About you

• Educated to degree level or equivalent experience. 
• Previous experience working with elected members
• Experience in conducting analysis and writing and editing reports for publication
• Can travel regularly to the Senedd Cymru Welsh Parliament in Cardiff and other parts of Wales, plus Alton Hampshire

Employee benefits

• Employee assistance programme | Generous annual leave | Pension | Cycle2Work scheme | Flexible working | Retail discounts | Family leave | Health cash plan

The advert may close earlier than the stated closing date if we receive a sufficient number of suitable applications.

CDMT is looking for a talented, ambitious and driven education and arts professional to energetically build on the company’s success over the past decade and imaginatively take forward and elevate our mission and vision for the years ahead. The role is accountable to the Chair of Trustees.

CDMT’s position in the sector and the requirements of the role are described in the job pack and on our website.

ABOUT THE ROLE OF DIRECTOR

CDMT is the industry body for world-class professional schools, conservatoires and awarding organisations in the performing arts, and we are a strong advocate on behalf of the sector.

The Director of the CDMT plays a strategic role in performing arts training, education and assessment nationally and manages the staff and resources of an organisation of UK-wide standing. The CDMT is financed primarily by membership subscriptions. As this source of income is restricted, the successful applicant will need to demonstrate a strategic business sense and a successful income-driven record that will enable the CDMT to create, diversify and take full advantage of developing opportunities.

The Director must be able to liaise effectively with all sectors of the dance, drama, music and musical theatre education communities.  They will have wide knowledge and experience of arts education at all stages of development from entry level, through Further/Higher Education to post-graduate level, and will also require an understanding of qualification frameworks in the UK. Knowledge and experience of inspection and self-assessment mechanisms similar to those operated by the Office for Students, Ofsted and Ofqual, is desirable.

The role includes advocacy on behalf of the sector and requires an ability to offer support and advice to professional schools, conservatoires and awarding organisations as well as informing the thinking of regulators, civil servants and parliamentarians. This demands a high level of tact, diplomacy, professional understanding and tenacity as well as intellectual rigour and integrity.

This is a time of change and challenge for the performing arts education community.  The post of Director of the CDMT requires a talented, ambitious and self-driven professional able to offer and energetically deliver an exciting vision for the company’s future, and manage the journey required to successfully achieve it.

THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE MUST DEMONSTRATE

• Experience of management at a senior level in the education and/or arts sectors, with an awareness of national assessment and inspection frameworks
• Staff management skills and a motivating and inclusive style
• Ability to identify opportunities, take initiative, and command the respect of peers and associates, demonstrating honesty and integrity in all dealings
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, interpersonal abilities, and strategic thinking and planning
• Knowledge and experience of financial procedures and regulatory compliance and responsibilities
• Proficiency in influencing, negotiating, and finding common ground and agreement
• Resilience, self-motivation, clear vision and the ability to defend and promote CDMT’s mission
• Commitment to equal opportunities and the charity’s values
• Education to a minimum of Degree level
• The guile to engage with the pertinent issues of the time and to endeavour to shape the future for the benefit of CDMT

SUMMARY OF DIRECTOR’S ACTIVITIES

• Set CDMT strategy, vision and direction with Board support
• Establish corporate values, rewards quality and success in a culture of equal opportunity
• Create business plans, allocates capital in support of aims, produces budgets and monitors finances
• Cultivate key relationships, influences decision-makers, develops suitable partnerships and networks
• Strengthen CDMT’s reputation through representations to government, industry bodies and media
• Lead, inspire and build teams of highly qualified staff, consultants with effective use of resources
• Chair meetings and ensures success of operational policies, membership committees and inspections
• Utilise sector intelligence to reinforce the company’s standing through targeted initiatives
• Oversee reports to the Charity Commission, Companies House, HMRC, Pensions Regulator etc (acting as Company Secretary)
• Manage risk assessments and mitigating actions, seek legal and professional advice where necessary.

The communications specialists in the PCS campaigns and communications team are dedicated to delivering the most up to date services for our members. We are looking for a Head of Communications to lead the team, using up to date tech, design systems and social media engagement to provide the best communications at all times for a diverse audience.

Salary and Location

• Band 5, London Spine points 21-17 or Regional Spine points 23-19
• Starting salary: London £63,279 p.a. rising to £72,098 p.a. or Regional £58,877 p.a. rising to £67,689, in annual increments
• PCS Clapham or Regional office

Successful candidates for the post of Head of Communications will be able to demonstrate:

• Professional experience of working in a communications field
• Problem-solving ability in crisis or challenging situations
• Understanding of different communications media and how to use them effectively
• An interest in developing communications technology
• A record of positive collaboration, building strong working relationships

The main duties of the Head of Communications role include:

• Leading on internal and external communications strategies that align with the union's overall goals
• Maintaining quality of all communications, ensuring consistent and positive messaging to promote the aims and objectives of the union
• Motivational management and development of the team
• Liaising with departmental heads, senior lay officials and other colleagues on a range of communications
• Budget management, bid preparation and liaising with suppliers

Excellent people skills combined with problem-solving ability and an understanding of up to date communications technology will all be essential requirements for a successful Head of Communications.

Closing date: 12 midday on Monday 20 October 2025

Interviews will be held by Zoom: Tuesday 4 November 2025

About PCS

PCS is the Public and Commercial Services Union, representing many thousands of members working in the civil service and related areas.

Employer Benefits

You will have access to a generous package of staff benefits including

• flexible working (including hybrid working)
• childcare and family support
• generous maternity/paternity leave
• 32 days leave and Christmas closure
• pension scheme
• employee assistance programme

Learning and Development

The union offers a wide range of learning and development opportunities. We will work with you to support your continued professional development.

PCS Recruiting Process

We use CVMinder to manage all recruitment activities. It helps us to maintain our commitment to equality and diversity by ensuring that we are fair and compliant with our recruiting practices.

Applications must be received by the closing date and time specified.

Candidates invited for interview are required to make themselves available on the date/s specified. Interview dates cannot be changed to accommodate candidates who are unavailable to attend on the specified date.

• CVs will not be accepted. Please see the job description/person specification and follow the application process.
• PCS is working towards equal opportunities and is positive about disabled people.
• All posts can be considered on a full-time, part-time or job share basis.

Please view our guidance for applicants.

JOB DESCRIPTION: HEAD OF COMMUNICATIONS

Ref: 1025

Grade: Band 5, London or Region

Salary

London Spine points 21-17

London Starting salary £63,279 p.a. rising to £72,098 p.a.

Regional Spine points 23-19

Regional Starting salary £58,877 p.a. rising to £67,689 p.a.

Location: PCS Clapham or Regional Office

Purpose of the job:

Develop, lead, implement, and ensure internal and external communications strategies are maintained and in line with PCS policy.

Lead on the strategic direction of the unions communications and oversee delivery, digital strategy, membership engagement and internal communications.

To advise and work alongside the National Management Team, National Executive Committee and partners to devise and implement communications campaigns and projects.

To assist in maximising the potential for union growth, development and success, and to encourage membership participation through robust communication strategies.

To undertake a management role with direct responsibility for staff ensuring that the work of the communications team is in line with the wider objectives of the union.

Responsible to: Head of Campaigns & Communications

Responsible for: Band 4 officers and Support staff

Contacts

External:

PCS members, elected officials and potential members. Employers, Legal and other advisors. TUC, members of other trade unions and related bodies. Senior government officials, Ministers, MPs, pressure groups, campaigning bodies and media.

Internal:

PCS staff and managers across regions, Senior Management Team, National Management Team and other PCS departments.

Main duties and responsibilities

1. Key areas

• Lead on, develop and implement internal and external communication strategies that align with the union's overall goals
• Create and oversee communication materials such as the creation of promotional and informative materials, digital campaigns, print materials, social media, audio and video
• Conduct quality controls on all communications, ensuring that all union communications and materials have consistent and positive messaging and branding
• Responding to crises or challenging situations quickly and professionally
• Contribute to the strategic development of the Unions policy objectives including the PCS planning process
• Provide support and have direct involvement through the National Management Team (NMT) in the unions bargaining, organising, campaigning, equality, learning and digital agendas
• Manage people and resources in the communications team
• Represent PCS at external meetings
• Provide advice to and lead relevant committees including the preparation and presentation of reports
• Monitor and report on issues and initiatives as requested
• Provide input into budgetary processes including bid preparation, monitoring and control where relevant

2. People Management

• Manage work allocation and workflow, future planning and support for officer team/line manager
• Motivate and manage individuals and the team as a whole to provide a high standard of service
• Check work standards and maintain consistent quality of delegated tasks
• Seek to continuously improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the team
• Through induction, the appraisal system and one-to-ones, identify staff training and development needs, train or organise formal/informal training
• Proactively promote diversity in line with the wider PCS approach
• Apply the staff conduct policies as and when required e.g. discipline, grievance, capability, dignity at work and IT security policies
• Provide advice and deal with complex issues related to staff management including disciplinary or grievance in consultation with line manager
• Ensure that the health, safety and welfare of staff is maintained and improved, in accordance with PCS and statutory policies
• Work effectively with lay officials
• Deputise for line manager when required

3. Communication

• Ensure digitalisation, information and communications methods are effectively implemented and used to generate improvements
• Draft complex communications including briefs and reports to staff and members
• Communicate with members by producing circulars and briefings and by addressing meetings and conferences when required
• As necessary, represent PCS and liaise with outside bodies

4. Team Working

• Proactively promote team working and collaboration across the organisation
• Initiate, organise, lead and participate in team meetings as appropriate
• Maintain high levels of confidentiality of sensitive issues at all times
• Provide assistance to team members

5. Equality

• Contribute to PCS policies on equal opportunities by developing innovative workplace strategies to tackle inequality and discrimination

6. General

• Participate and input information into PCS planning and budgeting processes
• At all times implement and promote the PCSs equal opportunities policy and adhere to the PCS Values
• Take due and reasonable care of self and others in respect of health and safety at work
• Participate in appraisal, training and development systems
• Act in a manner that enhances the work of the PCS and its overall public image
• In all work activities, comply with data protection legislation and PCSs requirements for the protection of personal information and the privacy of individuals
• Staff at this grade may be assigned or transferred to posts within grade. A training & development programme will be provided to assist with this, where required
• Such other duties that may reasonably be required and that are within the level of the responsibility of this post
• Willing to work outside normal office hours and location on occasion (e.g. attendance at Annual Delegate Conference, where required)

Person Specification: HEAD OF COMMUNICATIONS

Ref: 1025

Date: September 2025

Location: PCS Clapham or Regional office

ESSENTIAL FACTORS

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelors degree in communications, marketing, public relations, journalism, English or a related field or equivalent demonstrable experience

EXPERIENCE

• 5 years experience in communications field within a complex membership organisation
• People management including induction, work allocation, appraisal and conduct
• Leading committees and teams
• High level project management, problem solving and decision making
• Responding to crisis or challenging situations

TRAINING (including continuous professional development)

• Evidence of ongoing training and continuing professional development
• Commitment to undertake job-related training
• Commitment to participation in appraisal and development review process
• Commitment to staff development

KNOWLEDGE

• Understanding of the political processes in the UK and the role and work of trade unions
• Budget monitoring and control processes
• Employment rights, equality legislation, discrimination law and working practices, in a communications context
• Impact and use of Digital and IT applications in a trade union
• Methods and techniques for bargaining, campaigning and organising

SKILLS

• Ability to communicate effectively using written and oral channels, including reports and presentations, with a variety of audiences
• Ability to negotiate and form effective working relationships internally and externally
• Ability to identify and set standards and priorities
• Ability to provide strategic and policy implementation advice and guidance
• High standard of organisational ability

OTHER

• Commitment to the application of Equal Opportunities policies and practices at work
• Understanding of own role in maintaining legal compliances within PCS (e.g. data protection; health and safety)
• Flexible approach to work and willing to work outside of normal office hours and location on occasions

Do you want to use your operational experience to support a mission-driven team? Are you personable, highly organised and entrepreneurial? Then you could be UK100’s new Operations Officer!

You will take the lead on our Business Supporters Network: researching businesses that can support local authorities on their decarbonisation journey, reaching out to them and establishing mutually beneficial partnerships.

You will also be the go-to person internally for keeping our organisation running smoothly. From organising team meetings to developing our CRM’s functionality and ensuring our HR policies and processes are up to date and properly implemented. You will make sure people have everything they need to do their best work.

It’s an exciting time to be joining our team as we will start preparing for the 10th birthday of UK100 in 2026!

Administration of our Business Support Network

• Research businesses that can help local authorities on their decarbonisation journey
• Run due diligence checks on potential business partners to ensure they comply with our Ethical Fundraising Policy
• Set up and minute meetings, coordinate proposals
• Prepare and issue contracts and invoices
• Maintain accurate, compliant data in our CRM

Finance and HR

• Oversee income and expenditure budgets and performance
• Produce and circulate monthly management accounts
• Manage relationships with our suppliers, ensuring we get value for money and pay promptly
• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, off-boarding and HR record-keeping

Operations and Governance

• Office management and coordination with our workspace provider.
• Organise team meetings and team socials
• Maintain UK100’s Customer Relationship Management system and support UK100 staff in using the CRM.
• Support UK100’s management of IT systems, ensuring staff are trained and follow best practice guidance
• Develop and improve UK100's policy and procedures, as well maintaining key organisational documents.

Variety, the Children's Charity is excited to recruit for a Corporate Partnerships Manager to join the fundraising team as we launch a new multi-year partnership in January 2026. This role is a new position to support our ambitious growth to deliver award winning partnerships and raise money from corporate partners across the Northeast region. This key role on our team will ensure our work to fund life-changing practical support to disabled and disadvantaged children and young people continues across the UK.

You will be joining the charity at an exciting time as we are launching a three-year strategy to drive growth with lots of new fundraising plans in place alongside a great team and a new Director of Fundraising. You will have a large partnership in the property sector to manage, and with your experience you will develop new partners in the Northeast of England, ensuring we maximise leads and introductions. You will play an important role in our collaborative and high-performing team to deliver the partnership strategy.

ABOUT VARIETY

There are 1.8m children living with disabilities in the UK with 600,000 children living in poverty. Variety exists to improve their lives. We believe every child has a right to live their best life and reach their full potential, whoever they are. We fund and deliver life-changing programmes that enhance their quality of life and give children and young people across the UK a better future.

Over the past 75 years we have supported over one million children by funding almost 6,000 Sunshine Coaches, almost the same number of wheelchairs, and giving thousands of grants to individual children, schools, youth clubs and other organisations for specialist equipment.

In addition, each year thousands of children take part in day trips, special events and educational activities as part of our Variety Great Days Out programme and every single day we are improving more young lives. We do it with practical, tangible help, that makes a real and immediate difference.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

● Lead account management of a large national corporate partnership, delivering a six-figure fundraising target and giving first class stewardship to ensure engagement with all staff across multiple sites in the UK

● Develop engaging marketing and communications for the partnership and develop new business materials for their suppliers and customers, to get them involved in the partnership

● Travel across regional offices for fundraising and volunteering, engaging staff and working with our beneficiary schools on engagement events

● Write and deliver quarterly impact reporting, making presentations at head office with partnership updates

● Track income and expenditure for the partnership

● Develop new business by introductions from the partnership and also work across the Northwest to develop new leads for the corporate fundraising pipeline

● Plan volunteering days for corporate partners, coordinating with our school’s network, sending briefs and attending some events to ensure smooth coordination

● Attending regular partnership meetings and keeping all account plans up to date utilising our CRM system Salesforce

● Attend Variety fundraising and awareness events representing the charity and speaking confidently about our work

● Collaborate with the programmes team to plan partner Sunshine Coach presentations, Great Days Out, and visits to partner schools

● Participate in staff meetings, fundraising team meetings and contribute to the success of Variety’s fundraising strategy

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

Essential

• Two years’ experience working on a charity fundraising team

• Experience managing corporate partnerships at a national level

• Experience of excellent donor stewardship

• Good writing and communication skills

• Good organisational skills and multi-tasking during busy periods

• Enthusiastic, energetic, self-motivated and passionate about the Third Sector

MAIN BENEFITS, TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Reporting to: Director of Fundraising & Communications

Salary: £35,000-£38,000 per annum

Location: Remote working (must be in the Northeast area) (with 2-4 days per month working from a corporate partner office in Newcastle)

Hours: 9am to 5pm, Monday - Friday

25 days holiday (we also normally give between Christmas and New Year off, but this is not contractual). In addition, after one year's continuous service, there will be an extra 2 days annual holiday added for every complete year of service, up to a maximum of five days' extra holiday.

Employer Pension contributions of 7% (Employee 2%), Life Assurance scheme of 4 x annual salary, Company sick pay scheme, Medicash scheme.

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit your CV with a cover letter explaining why you’d make a great candidate for this role. Applications will close on Thursday, 6 November at 5pm with first round interviews taking place week commencing 10 November and second round of interviews on 17 November 2025. Please let us know if you have any accessibility requirements or need any adjustments for the interview.

EQUALITY DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

Inclusion is one of our key values and it is our ambition to recruit great people from diverse communities.

We welcome and encourage applications from suitably qualified candidates regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment/identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy/maternity and or marriage/civil partnership status, race, religion or belief.

Please let us know if you have any access requirements which we might need to consider in relation to the selection process.

Terms & Conditions:

Location: Can be remote or based in London or Manchester. Must be able to regularly attend all day meetings in London and to travel extensively in England

Working hours: Part time – 3 days a week 

Contract: 12-month initial term with a view to extending 

Salary: £25029 per annum, actual salary (FTE £41705). If based in London: £27423 per annum, actual salary (FTE £45705, inclusive of London weighting) 

Benefits:

Pension: Aviva Stakeholder pension with a 5% employer contribution .

Annual leave: April to March - 30 days plus statutory bank holidays (18 days + pro-rated bank holidays for a 3-day week) we also have an additional 3 closure days between Christmas and New Year.

Other benefits: Eye-care vouchers, Cycle to Work Scheme, Employee discount platform, Clinical Supervision and Employee Assistance Programme.

Role Summary:  

We are building something bold: a collective of women and organisations working side by side to end the unjust, unsafe and unfair use of remand against women in the UK. We need a leader who is not only strategic and organised, but also deeply committed to the power of lived experience, coproduction, and intersectional feminist principles. 

This role is the backbone of the project. You’ll hold the threads that connect our members, supporting and championing women with lived experience of the criminal justice system, and ensure our collective voice is strong, united, and impactful. You’ll be guiding—not dictating—so that the project grows from the wisdom, creativity, and resilience of the women at its heart. 

If you’re ready to use your skills and passion to create real change, and you believe in leadership that listens, collaborates and disrupts the injustice of remand, this is the role for you.  

Women with lived experience are actively encouraged to apply for this role, if you do not think you meet all the criteria set out below but do believe you have transferable skills or relevant experience that would make you successful in this role, we would be happy to have an informal conversation with you, to arrange this, please proceed to the application portal for the contact details of Kate Fraser.

Key Responsibilities Areas:

1. Project management and coordination 
2. Coordination of the collective  
3. Partnerships and stakeholder engagement  
4. Communication  

For full description please download the recruitment pack.