Research communication officer jobs in Manchester

As CEO, you will work closely with our Board and Senior Leadership Team to shape a bold vision for Bolton CVS, ensuring our work remains innovative, inclusive, and impactful. You will enable trust, shared accountability, and collective ambition; strengthening our position as a catalyst for collaboration, equity, and social change.

From influencing policy to driving investment into the sector, your leadership will help organisations and individuals thrive. You will champion financial sustainability, nurture a values-driven culture, and enable colleagues to take ownership and deliver exceptional support.

As a trusted advocate, you will represent Bolton CVS and 10GM in strategic spaces and high-profile events, amplifying the voice of the VCSE sector and forging partnerships that unlock opportunity and resilience.

We're looking for someone who:

Leads with Energy: Brings dynamic, values-driven leadership that motivates teams and partners toward shared goals. Creates momentum and a culture of ambition and collaboration.

Thrives in the Fast Lane: Enjoys an evolving environment and embraces new challenges with enthusiasm, agility and resilience.

Adapts and Innovates: Translates strategic ambition into clear priorities and measurable outcomes that deliver lasting change. Anticipates future needs, embraces innovation, and leverages new approaches to strengthen organisational and sector-wide effectiveness and impact.

Celebrates Diversity: Promotes equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging. Builds an organisational culture where all voices are valued and shape decisions.

Connects Hearts and Minds: Builds authentic relationships with stakeholders, partners, and communities. Creates trust and shared purpose to unlock collaboration and collective impact.

Speaks the Language of Impact: Communicates with clarity and influence across diverse audiences. Articulates complex ideas in ways that inspire confidence, engagement, and action.

Navigates Complexity: Provides strategic leadership across internal operations and external partnerships. Balances organisational priorities with sector-wide opportunities to drive alignment, collaboration, and sustainable outcomes.

Leads Through Challenge: Provides confident, values-driven leadership in sensitive or high-pressure situations. Creates space for constructive dialogue, builds consensus, and transforms challenges into opportunities for growth and resilience.

Ready to Lead Boldly? If you’re prepared to bring vision, energy and influence to the table, this is your opportunity to strengthen the future of Bolton CVS, 10GM and the wider VCSE sector. As CEO, you’ll be at the heart of driving collaboration, championing equity, and unlocking potential, helping organisations and communities thrive. This isn’t just a role; it’s a chance to lead with purpose and make a lasting impact.
 

Research and Impact Manager

Location: Remote with flexible working arrangements. You will be expected to attend monthly team meetings in Bristol (with paid travel and subsistence). 

Salary: £38,584 - £40,000 per year FTE, dependent on experience

Contract: We are open to this role being part time (0.6 FTE or 0.8FTE) or full time. We offer fully flexible working. 

Closing date for applications: Sunday 11th January 2026, 11:59pm.

*Please note, both a CV and a cover letter must be submitted for applications to be considered.

Screening calls/Interviews: Due to high numbers of applications, prior to interview we plan to carry out initial screening calls with prospective candidates before selection for interview. We will be asking about your reasons for applying and how you think your skills and experiences align with the role.

Screening calls: w/c 26th Jan

Interviews: w/c 2nd Feb

Start Date: ASAP

About: The Warm Welcome Campaign

Founded in 2022, the Warm Welcome Campaign wants everyone in the UK to find a place of belonging and reconnection at a Warm Welcome Space near their home. We have a bold purpose to enable a more deeply connected society where we all have free access to welcoming community spaces. 

We resource, connect and champion a network of almost 6,000 Warm Welcome Spaces and bring together a growing coalition of local, regional, and national partners representing the worlds of charity, faith, business, government, and philanthropy. By working together, we can unlock the power of community spaces made by and for everyone, creating a thriving network of hope and reconnection fueled by human warmth. 

We’re working hard to reach everyone with the message that a Warm Welcome is waiting for them just around the corner, all through the year.

Throughout all our work and within our team we live out our values of being inclusive, collaborative and courageous and our personality that is friendly, adventurous and uplifting.

We value diversity, and we recognise the enormous benefits and the social imperative of bringing together diverse groups of people. We therefore warmly welcome applications from a broad range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.

It’s an important moment for us – in the last year we have launched a new five year strategy which shows a clear picture of the path we have set ourselves ahead to continue to deliver and deepen our impact. In October 2024 we launched our 100% Pledge Campaign. and in January delivered a hugely successful first ever Warm Welcome Week in collaboration with a wide variety of partners.

The Opportunity

This is an exciting opportunity for a purposeful and proactive individual to work within a small (but growing), friendly and dynamic team in a varied role.

We are expanding our team and so we are looking for a Research and Impact Manager. This hands-on role would suit an insightful, evidence driven researcher and monitoring and evaluation specialist and who is a strong partnership worker. We are looking for someone who is willing to step up when something is needed and determined to see things through. 

You will need to enjoy working proactively and flexibly in a fast-paced environment, and have a logical, systematic approach, as well as excellent communication and IT skills. Our team works remotely, but there are also opportunities to co-work (depending on location). You’ll be encouraged and supported to grow and develop your research and impact evaluation skills and expertise within this role.

Responsibilities

Working closely with the Warm Welcome Operations Director and wider team your primary responsibility will be to lead on research and impact evaluation to ensure that our strategic approach is driven by evidence. You would take ownership of specific tasks as required, including;

Research:

• Developing a research strategy for the Warm Welcome campaign to help to ensure we can meet our overall campaign strategy.

• Leading on the co-design of research projects to meet the needs of the Warm Welcome campaign and our partners. 

• Developing a research and insights hub for the Warm Welcome team where they can easily access the latest statistics on relevant topics such as poverty and loneliness.

• Supporting any individuals or organisations undertaking research on behalf of the Warm Welcome campaign to ensure it is of a high quality and rigorous standard.

• Ensuring high ethical standards and safeguarding are maintained in any research project related to the Warm Welcome campaign.

• Sharing the results of this research in reports and presentations where key evidence and learning is easy for others to understand 

• Offering training and support to the Warm Welcome team related to research.

Impact Assessment:

• Supporting the continuous development of our Impact framework.

• Leading the collection of high-quality data, via methods such as survey design, polling and qualitative interviews, with the wider Warm Welcome team and Spaces network to help us to monitor, evaluate, learn and develop our collective impact.

• Ensuring we collect data with Warm Welcome spaces at every stage of their journey in joining the network, i.e. when they register to join and at regular intervals once registered to ensure we understand their impact and their support needs. 

• Developing evaluation tools and systems to ensure the Warm Welcome team are easily able to capture evidence related to our impact framework.

• Offering training and support to the Warm Welcome team related to monitoring, evaluation, learning, development and impact assessment

• Leading on partnership work related to monitoring, evaluation, learning, development and impact assessment for the Warm Welcome team

• Being the go to person for key statistics and impact data within the Warm Welcome team to be used in our communications and reporting

Teamworking:

• Supporting the work of the wider Warm Welcome/Good Faith Partnership Team as capacity and need allows

• Other responsibilities commensurate with the post.

Person specification

We are looking for candidates with the following skills and experience: 

• Strong track record of carrying out a range of relevant research projects, especially those involving community groups

• Experience of collaborating with others on research and evaluation projects

• Experience of developing and continuously improving tools and data for monitoring, evaluation, learning, development and impact assessment

• Strong analytical skills with a proven track record in qualitative and quantitative

methods

• Clear communication skills and experience of sharing research and impact assessment data in clear, concise and easy-to-understand formats for presentations and reports

• Experience in training and developing people’s skills in research and impact assessment

• Experience of contributing to and developing an impact framework

• Accurate and evidence-driven with a passion for ensuring research and impact assessments are completed to a high quality 

• Knowledge of ethical research practices, safeguarding and power dynamics in the research process

• Experience in using a CRM system 

• Tenacious with a natural drive to push tasks through to completion and to the required standards of excellence

• Highly computer literate: proficient users of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Google Workspace, as well as being comfortable and keen to learn new technologies and use new tools

• Able to relate well to a range of stakeholders from a variety of backgrounds

• Highly organised and details-focussed

• Confident to take the initiative and solve problems pro-actively

• Self-starter, able to manage themselves and their time, juggling a variety of tasks and priorities

• Willing to work flexibly, which may occasionally require working out of normal working hours

• Willing and able to work remotely, predominantly from home, but with the possibility to co-work with other members of the team (depending on location)

• Have the right to work in the UK

Competencies and behaviours in our team

The core competence of everyone in our team is the ability to build trusted relationships among people with diverse perspectives and backgrounds. We are looking for people who are:

• Committed to the power of relationships to facilitate social change 

• Collaborative, inclusive, ambitious, aligning with our core values 

• Self-starters with high levels of commitment, energy and motivation 

• Curious and show initiative, with problem-solving skills and an ability to learn quickly and adapt to a rapidly changing context 

• Calm under pressure, and can adapt quickly in a fast-paced environment 

• Willing to pitch in to help other team members if needed 

•  Organised with effective time management skills. 

Working arrangements 

• Current members of the team are based across the UK, with some in London, Reading, Bristol, Manchester and Northern Ireland. Applicants must be able to travel to Bristol, Reading or London once a month for a Tuesday full team meeting. Given the nature of this role, we would also expect the applicant to carry out a reasonable amount of travel to both projects and partners across the UK. 

• This role is remote, full-time, with flexible working arrangements

• All employees, volunteers, partners, suppliers and consultants working with Good Faith are expected to adhere to our Code of Conduct and safeguarding policies. Good Faith’s commitment to safeguarding means we seek to ensure that no harm comes to people as a result of contact with the organisation’s programmes, operations or people.

• You will need to have the right to work in the UK.

Supporting your application

• If you disclose a disability during your application process and you meet the minimum criteria for the role, we will contact you to discuss any reasonable adjustment you might need at the interview. If you wish to disclose a disability, please us

• We’d be very happy to answer any specific questions relating to this role - please email us with ‘Query for Research and Impact Manager’ in the email subject line and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can. 

• Please specifically address the requirements listed in the person specification in your covering letter as we will use this to shortlist applications. 

• For more information, visit our website or find us on X at @goodfaith 

To apply, please send a cover letter (max 1 side of A4) which sets out why you believe you are a good fit for the role, along with a CV by  Sunday 11th January 2026.  Please use ‘Application for Research and Impact Manager role’ in the email subject line. 

We are seeking a Trusts Fundraising Officer to join our ambitious trusts and foundations team, supporting delivery of the trusts fundraising plan and maximising grant income. The successful candidate will contribute to developing compelling proposals to secure funding, provide excellent stewardship of donors to build long term relationships, and research new trust prospects.

Proven experience of successful trusts fundraising is essential, and the candidate will need to be proactive, naturally well organised, with the ability to craft powerful cases for support. An understanding of fundraising from trusts for medical research causes is desirable.

You will support the Head of Trusts Fundraising in maximising income from charitable trusts and foundations to meet and exceed financial targets; identifying new trusts and increasing the number and value of gifts.

Main tasks and Responsibilities

1. To support the Head of Trusts Fundraising in implementing the three-year strategic plan for Trust Fundraising, and in delivering an effective annual plan and budget that will enable Action Medical Research to maximise income from charitable trusts and foundations.

2. To develop and manage excellent relationships with existing and potential donors, particularly small and medium trusts.

3. To liaise with the Research department to identify appropriate projects to present to potential donors and to manage and report on restricted donations for specific medical research projects

4. To regularly research and monitor new target trusts building a strong pipeline of prospects.

5. To develop and write compelling and persuasive proposals to present to prospects and donors.

6. To ensure that trusts that have made restricted donations are kept appropriately informed of progress against the research work which they are funding and, in the longer term, of the impact that their support has achieved.

7. To manage allocated charity partnerships where co-funding medical research, agreeing trusts which may be individually or jointly approached, raising invoices and reporting at agreed intervals.

8. To ensure continuing dialogue with trusts which have the potential to support our work in the future.

9. To ensure that Raisers Edge and the grant link schedule are kept up to date.

10.  To work with Supporter Care to ensure timely notice of donations to enable the Trusts team to give speedy appreciation of support.

11.  To work with colleagues across the charity, and other external stakeholders, to advocate for trust fundraising, identify opportunities and support colleagues in overlapping fundraising objectives.

12.  Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of Action Medical Research, the principles governing the funding of research and the projects being funded.

13.  Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of the trust marketplace and competitive influences on it.

14.  Keep the Head of Trusts Fundraising fully informed of activities at all times and work closely with the Trusts Fundraising Officer.

Role overview

World Physiotherapy is looking for a creative and detail-oriented communications officer with a background in graphic design to support our communications team in producing high-quality visual content. This role is ideal for someone early in their design career who is passionate about visual storytelling, global health, and nonprofit work. You’ll help bring our brand to life across digital platforms, print materials, and video content.

Key responsibilities

• Design graphics and layouts for digital platforms (social media, website, email campaigns)
• Create print-ready materials including reports, brochures, and event collateral
• Edit and produce long-form and short-form videos for web and social media
• Assist with scheduling social media content across platforms (eg, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X/Twitter)
• Assist with keeping World Physiotherapy websites updated
• Assist with monitoring performance of published content and suggest improvements based on analytics
• Ensure all visual content aligns with brand guidelines and accessibility standards
• Collaborate with the communications team to support campaigns and initiatives
• Manage and organise design assets and templates for internal use

Qualifications and experience

• Degree or diploma in graphic design, visual communications, or related field
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro and After Effects)
• Experience creating content for digital and print formats
• Good video editing skills and understanding of motion graphics
• Familiarity with SEO principles and content management systems (eg, WordPress)
• Strong attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines
• Experience working with or for NGOs, nonprofits, or in the healthcare sector is a plus

Skills and attributes

• Creative thinker with a strong visual eye
• Ability to take direction and work collaboratively
• Interest in global health, physiotherapy, or nonprofit communications
• Willingness to learn and grow within a supportive team environment
• Sensitivity to cultural diversity and inclusive design principles

About World Physiotherapy

World Physiotherapy is the global voice for physiotherapy, representing more than 600,000 physiotherapists worldwide through its 129 member organisations. As a nonprofit organisation, we advocate for high standards in physiotherapy practice, education, and research, and promote the profession’s role in improving health and wellbeing globally.

Application instructions

Interested candidates should submit their CV and a cover letter detailing their suitability for the role.Applications must be received by 17:00 GMT on 7 January 2026

World Physiotherapy is dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment that reflects our diverse membership. We adhere to best practices in equity, diversity, and inclusion in our recruitment process

Join us and contribute to a connected global community dedicated to health and wellbeing through physiotherapy!

Lead policy and research projects that shape national conversations on cohesion and integration. Join Belong and help create lasting change across the UK.

This is an exciting opportunity to take a pivotal role in delivering high-impact projects that inform practice and influence decision-makers. As Belong enters its next phase of growth, we are determined to deepen our impact, strengthen our resilience, and champion cohesion and integration at scale.

About Belong
Belong – The Cohesion and Integration Network is the UK’s leading not-for-profit organisation focused on building a more united and less divided society. Established in 2019, we work across sectors to strengthen trust, belonging, and resilience in communities. Through research, policy influence, and place-based programmes, we connect people, places, and organisations to share learning and drive systemic change. Our growing membership spans local authorities, charities, civil society, and businesses. Belong is collaborative, evidence-led, and committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

The Role
As Policy and Research Lead, you will design and deliver research and policy projects that inform practice and influence decision-makers. You will produce high-quality outputs, translate evidence into actionable recommendations, and contribute to Belong’s thought leadership. This role combines strategic insight with hands-on delivery and offers the chance to shape national conversations on social cohesion.

Key Responsibilities

• Policy and Research Leadership

  • Lead the design and delivery of policy and research projects, ensuring quality, relevance, and impact.
  • Produce policy briefings, reports, consultation responses, and thought leadership pieces.
  • Translate research findings into actionable recommendations for policymakers and practitioners.
  • Ensure projects are inclusive, participatory, and informed by lived experience.
  • Monitor policy developments and contribute to strategic positioning and horizon scanning.

• Stakeholder Engagement

  • Build and maintain relationships with policymakers, researchers, funders, and sector leaders.
  • Represent Belong at external meetings, events, and networks.
  • Support collaborative research and policy initiatives with partners and commissioners.
  • Contribute to dissemination of Belong’s work through events, media, and digital channels.

• Internal Collaboration

  • Support the Director of Policy & Research in developing Belong’s policy influencing strategy.
  • Contribute to organisational learning and cross-team collaboration.
  • Assist with proposal development and funder engagement.
  • Line manage junior staff or associates as required.

About You
We are seeking a strategic and thoughtful leader with:

• Proven experience in leading policy and applied research programmes.
• Experience working in or with government, think tanks, or advocacy organisations.
• Strong analytical and writing skills.
• Knowledge of cohesion, integration, and community development.
• Excellent project management and organisational abilities.
• Familiarity with participatory and inclusive research methods.
• Experience in income generation or bid development.
• Relevant qualification in public policy, social research, or related field.
• Ability to translate complex ideas into accessible messages.
• Politically aware and intellectually curious.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship-building skills.

Personal Qualities

• Passionate about improving cohesion and integration in the UK.
• Strategic and solutions-focused.
• Collaborative and inclusive.
• Practical, reliable, and detail-oriented.
• Committed to personal and professional development.
• Able to thrive in a fast-paced and evolving environment.

Why Join Us?
At Belong, you’ll be part of a dynamic, values-driven team united by a shared commitment to creating a more inclusive and connected society. We offer:

• 30 days’ annual leave (plus bank holidays)
• Hybrid working
• Enhanced sick pay and family-friendly policies
• Opportunities for professional development and growth

Join us and help shape policy and research that builds stronger, kinder, and more connected communities across the UK.

Our office is based in Manchester and we offer hybrid working for those able to travel there. However, this role is open UK-wide and can be worked remotely, with regular travel across England and Wales required.

Role overview

We are seeking a proactive and creative senior marketing and communications officer with excellent writing skills and a strong understanding of digital marketing. This role is suited to an early-career professional with a passion for writing and a strong interest in global health and nonprofit work. The ideal candidate will have a strong grasp of marketing, digital content creation, and social media engagement. You will be responsible for producing high-quality content that supports our mission and engages our international audience.

Key responsibilities

• Write, edit and publish news stories for the World Physiotherapy website and newsletters
• Develop clear, engaging web copy and digital content aligned with our values and strategic priorities
• Write and edit press releases, briefs, statements, and CEO/leadership communications as needed
• Create and schedule social media content across platforms (eg, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X/Twitter). Monitor comments across platforms
• Assist with marketing key campaigns and initiatives the organisation undertakes, including World Physiotherapy congresses, held every two years
• Assist with keeping World Physiotherapy websites updated
• Assist with the production of the annual report and other publications
• Work with the marketing and communications manager to implement strategies that strengthen global reach and engagement
• Collaborate with internal teams and external contributors to gather accurate and timely information
• Ensure all content is inclusive, accessible, and relevant to a global health audience
• Monitor performance of published content and suggest improvements based on analytics
• Maintain consistency in tone, style, and messaging across all communications
• Editing and proofreading of organisation documents and materials to ensure accuracy and consistency

Qualifications and experience

• Undergraduate degree in marketing, business, communications, or a related field is highly desirable
• Professional qualification from a recognised body such as the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) or the Institute of Data and Marketing (IDM) is advantageous
• Proven experience in marketing, copywriting, or digital content creation
• Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills
• Familiarity with SEO principles and content management systems (eg, WordPress)
• Experience managing social media accounts for organisations or brands
• Experience working in or writing for NGOs, nonprofits, or the medical/healthcare sector is highly desirable

Skills and attributes

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple deadlines
• Collaborative mindset and excellent interpersonal skills
• Sensitivity to cultural diversity and global perspectives
• Interest in physiotherapy, rehabilitation, or global health issues is desirable

About World Physiotherapy

World Physiotherapy is the global voice for physiotherapy, representing more than 600,000 physiotherapists worldwide through its 129 member organisations. As a nonprofit organisation, we advocate for high standards in physiotherapy practice, education, and research, and promote the profession’s role in improving health and wellbeing globally.

Application instructions

How to apply: interested candidates should submit their CV and a cover letter detailing their suitability for the role.  Applications must be received by 17:00 GMT on 7 January 2026

World Physiotherapy is dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment that reflects our diverse membership. We adhere to best practices in equity, diversity, and inclusion in our recruitment process.

Join us and contribute to a connected global community dedicated to health and wellbeing through physiotherapy!

This is an exceptional opportunity to join Belong’s Senior Leadership Team as Director of Policy & Research, a role that sits at the heart of our mission to shape national conversations on cohesion and integration. You will lead Belong’s policy development, research strategy, and national partnerships, ensuring our work is grounded in robust evidence and lived experience. This position offers the chance to influence systemic change, amplify Belong’s voice with policymakers and opinion formers, and ensure our insights drive real-world impact.

As Director of Policy & Research, you will:

• Lead the development of Belong’s policy and research agenda, aligning it with organisational strategy and national priorities.
• Produce high-quality policy outputs, including reports, briefings, consultation responses, and thought leadership pieces.
• Oversee the design and delivery of research projects, including commissioning and partnership work, ensuring rigor and inclusivity.
• Translate research findings into actionable policy recommendations and advocacy strategies.
• Foster strong collaboration between the Policy & Research team and Programme Delivery team, ensuring insights inform both policy and practice.
• Build and maintain relationships with policymakers, parliamentarians, journalists, and opinion formers.
• Represent Belong externally at high-level meetings, events, and in the media, amplifying our impact and reach.
• Develop strategic messaging and narratives that position Belong as a thought leader in social cohesion.
• Support campaigns and public engagement initiatives that promote Belong’s policy goals.
• Contribute to organisational development, strategic planning, and income generation through proposal development and funder engagement.
• Line manage policy and research staff, providing leadership, support, and professional development.

This is a senior leadership role for someone who thrives in a collaborative environment and wants to drive systemic change at scale.

About You
We are seeking a strategic and insightful leader with:

• Proven experience in policy development and research leadership.
• Experience working in or with government, think tanks, or advocacy organisations.
• Strong understanding of social policy and influencing processes.
• Knowledge of cohesion, integration, and community relations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including media engagement and public speaking.
• Ability to translate complex research into accessible policy messages.
• Familiarity with participatory and applied research methods.
• Strong strategic thinking and planning abilities.
• Relevant qualification in public policy, social research, or a related field.
• Experience managing teams and budgets, and supporting income generation through fundraising and proposal development.

Personal Qualities

• Passionate about improving cohesion and integration in the UK.
• Strategic and visionary thinker.
• Collaborative and inclusive leader.
• Politically astute and intellectually curious.
• Practical, focused, and reliable.
• Committed to personal and professional development.

Why Join Us?
At Belong, you’ll be part of a dynamic, values-driven team united by a shared commitment to creating a more inclusive and connected society. We offer:

• 30 days’ annual leave
• Hybrid working (typically 3 days in the office)
• Enhanced sick pay and family-friendly policies
• 3% pension contribution
• Opportunities for professional development and growth

Join us and help shape national policy and research that builds stronger, kinder, and more connected communities across the UK.

Salary: £65,000–£70,000
Location: UK-wide (regular travel across England and Wales)
Contract: Permanent, Full-time

About Belong
Belong – The Cohesion and Integration Network is the UK’s leading not-for-profit organisation dedicated to building a more united and less divided society. Established in 2019, we work across sectors to strengthen trust, belonging, and resilience in communities. Through research, policy influence, and place-based programmes, we connect people, places, and organisations to share learning and drive systemic change. Our growing membership spans local authorities, charities, civil society, and businesses. Belong is collaborative, evidence-led, and committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Our office is based in Manchester and we offer hybrid working for those able to travel there. However, this role is open UK-wide and can be worked remotely, with regular travel across England and Wales required.

Employer: Community Rail Network 

Salary: £43k-£51.5k pa, full time 

Location: Home based / flexible or Huddersfield 

We are seeking a dynamic director of policy and communications, to lead and develop our increasingly impactful external affairs activity. You’ll be sharing community insights and evidence with policy and decision-makers at national and devolved level, supporting a shift towards more inclusive and sustainable transport and mobility, while overseeing high-quality, inspiring member communications and thought-leadership, drawing on grassroots experiences.  
  

About us 

Community Rail Network is a national not-for-profit organisation supporting a growing ‘community rail’ movement, which helps communities get the most from their railways, promotes sustainable and inclusive travel, coordinates volunteering and place-making, and brings people together.

Community rail is made up of 76 community-based partnership organisations, and c.1,300 station friends volunteer groups and other community-led initiatives around Britain. Their activities range from creative projects for young people, to advising train operators on service improvements, to building travel confidence among marginalised groups, to biodiversity projects at stations, to promoting greener tourism by rail.

Our enthusiastic team of 24 works from home in different locations, but we come together regularly in person and online. We work collaboratively to support our members, provide training, events and resources, run campaigns, and champion community rail and its insights. We believe in developing our team and helping everyone reach their potential while having a good work-life balance.

About this role 

This role is crucial for us, our members and their communities, especially at the current time, with our need to seize on the opportunities of rail reform and devolution, promote wider use of sustainable transport, and bring communities together. You will spearhead our external affairs strategy and plans, building political relationships, influencing decision-making and raising awareness of community rail and its insights, while ensuring effective communications with our members and helping them to have a voice locally and regionally. You’ll be striving to put community rail at the forefront of a shift towards more inclusive and sustainable mobility.

As a member of our senior leadership team, reporting to and working closely with our chief executive, you will manage a passionate team of four, ensuring collaboration with our other teams, partners and funders, and drawing on members’ insights.

 
Main responsibilities 

• Lead the review, development and delivery of our communications, policy and insights strategy, working to position the community rail movement effectively, use its insights to influence policy change, and ensure our members are well-informed and have a voice; 

• Further strengthen our advisory and influencing work with national, devolved and regional government, transport bodies, parliamentarians and other decision-makers, especially around rail reform, transport devolution and integrated, inclusive, sustainable transport; 

• Ensure we’re engaging effectively with policy developments and opportunities, taking forward a programme of relationship-building, and identifying and engaging in relevant consultations, events and speaking opportunities, enabling community rail’s insights and experiences to be shared; 

• Collaborate with partners in rail, government and the third sector to feed in our expertise on community engagement with rail, amplify our campaigns, and build opportunities for joined-up communications and policy work;

• Continually develop and disseminate our evidence base and insights on the social, environmental and economic value community rail delivers, and opportunities to create greater benefits for communities from rail and transport; 

• Oversee high-quality, coherent and inspiring communications with our members and partners, promoting our work, and sharing news, opportunities, and good practice across the movement; 

• Manage production of high-quality resources, case studies and reports that our members can use to enhance their impact and which showcase community rail’s impact; 

• Lead and develop our media relations and awareness-raising PR, championing community rail and its messages on sustainable, inclusive travel and communities at national and regional level, while supporting members on local PR; 

• Develop our online presence and reach, making full use of our website, social media, our Scenic Rail Britain campaign, and partners’ channels to celebrate and position community rail and grow its reach and impact; 

• Oversee a calendar of creative and impactful campaigns that involve and empower our members, creating PR and engagement opportunities, including Community Rail Week;

• Play a key role in collective leadership, strategic focus and organisational development as a member of our senior leadership team, including through internal communications and cross-team working, annual planning, funder liaison and reporting, upholding our strategies and policies, and pursuing opportunities for continuous improvement. 

 
Skills and competencies 

1. Strong leadership and management skills, including experience managing, developing and drawing on a multi-faceted team delivering complex campaigns or projects, and budget management; 
2. Excellent communication and external leadership skills; articulate, assertive, and with the ability to work diplomatically and persuasively with stakeholders at all levels; 
3. An understanding of public affairs, ideally in relation to community development, sustainability and/or transport, and a demonstrable ability to identify influencing opportunities, deliver thought-leadership, and engage with policy-makers, including sharing community insights; 
4. Politically astute, with awareness of and commitment to social inclusion, social justice and sustainability, and a good grasp of the importance of public transport sustainable travel, and community-led action, to these agendas; 
5. Understanding of political processes and experience of engaging with policy and decision-making, ideally at national, devolved and local levels; 
6. Sound knowledge of communication and marketing methods and channels, and ability to oversee messaging and targeting of public and professional audiences, and to align content across multiple channels; 
7. A demonstrable ability to think analytically and draw on statistical and qualitative research to construct robust, evidence-based arguments; 
8. Experience of working with the media and achieving coverage at national, regional and local level; 
9. Experience working collaboratively with partners and ideally funders to deliver communications and policy activity and forming professional networks; 
10. Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines while dealing with competing priorities, and to support team members to do so; 
11. IT literate with a good working knowledge of Office, the internet and social media; 
12. Appropriate qualifications and professional development demonstrating knowledge and skills in line with the above, and a commitment to ongoing learning and development.

Other information

As you will be home-based, we are flexible about your location. However, you will be expected to travel to in-person full team meetings quarterly (usually in West Yorkshire), and you will need to bring your team together (currently all West Yorkshire based) with similar regularity in between. Attendance at in-person events and meetings is also important. We therefore welcome applications from those with decent public transport links, not too far from a railway station, to enable journeys to be made sustainably.   

This is a full-time position, 37 hours per week. We use a flexi-time system with core hours 10am-3pm, and are committed to being a flexible, supportive and understanding employer. This is a permanent position with a probationary period of six months.   

Community Rail Network is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from disabled people and Black, Asian and other minoritised groups, who meet with the skills and competencies for this role. We will provide reasonable adjustments for interviews as required.  

Purpose of the Role 

The HR Officer provides comprehensive HR support across the organisation, ensuring best practice and compliance with employment legislation. This role covers the full employee lifecycle, HR administration & HR system admin, policy implementation, and coordinating employee engagement initiatives, while contributing to long-term HR projects and organisational change. 

Key Responsibilities 

Employee Lifecycle Management 

• Act as the first point of contact for employee queries and concerns. 

• Coordinate recruitment processes, including building job packs, setting up roles on BrightHR, advertising vacancies, and supporting shortlisting. 

• Schedule and coordinate interviews. 

• Prepare employment contracts and issue HR letters (e.g., annual pay reviews, leave requests). 

• Manage pre-employment checks and ensure new employees receive starter information. 

• Plan and oversee induction for all new staff. 

• Support probation reviews and oversee the bi-annual appraisal processes. 

HR Administration 

• Maintain accurate employee records in BrightHR and BrightSafe. 

• Complete regular HR admin activities and manage queries from staff and managers. 

• Track and report monthly staff absence data. 

• Inform the payroll bureau of monthly changes affecting pay (salary/hour changes, joiner/leaver, bank account changes, maternity, sickness, etc.) and liaise with Finance to verify payroll. 

• Ensure Data Protection procedures are followed for all HR records. 

Policy & Compliance 

• Support the implementation and periodic review of HR policies and procedures. 

• Maintaining the policy register. 

• Conduct regular audits to ensure compliance with employment legislation. 

• Provide advice and guidance to managers and staff on HR policies and legal obligations. 

• Ensuring DBS checks are carried out for colleagues having access to children’s data and visiting schools 

Employee Engagement & Wellbeing 

• Help coordinate the wellbeing committee. 

• Promote staff benefits, including eye care vouchers, pension schemes, and electric car salary sacrifice. 

• Manage the staff training programme in BrightHR and BrightSafe, ensuring completion of mandatory training and promoting non-mandatory development opportunities. 

Projects & Organisational Development 

• Lead and support HR projects to improve processes and systems. 

• Assist with organisational change initiatives and contribute to HR strategy development. 

• Support long-term projects such as benefits review and pension provider transition. 

Offboarding 

• Handle the leaver process, ensuring smooth offboarding and accurate record updates. 

• Ensuring the exit interview is carried out, share with the line managers and ELT 

Supporting ELT (approximately 5 hours per week) 

• Coordinating multi-calendar meetings 

• Analysis and research to support initiatives 

• Coordinating projects 

Skills & Experience 

• CIPD Level 5 (preferred) 

• Strong knowledge of HR best practices and employment legislation. 

• Excellent organisational and communication skills. 

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work collaboratively with managers and staff. 

• Knowledge and skills in managing an HR system. 

• Experience in HR administration and employee relations. 

• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion. 

Macular disease is the biggest cause of sight loss in the UK, with around 300 people diagnosed every day. The Macular Society is the only charity determined to beat the fear and isolation of macular disease with world class research, and the best advice and support.

To support people affected by macular disease now, the Macular Society provides a range of support, information and services. Our research programme is focused on finding new treatments and a cure to beat macular disease forever.

We’re seeking a creative and organised individual to lead on communications and learning for our volunteer network. You’ll be responsible for developing engaging content, coordinating volunteer newsletters, and supporting the delivery of training and learning resources across a wide range of roles. This role requires excellent written and verbal communication skills, a keen eye for detail, and a collaborative approach to ensure volunteers feel informed, supported, and connected. If you feel you have the attributes above, we would love to hear from you.

In return, we provide a great working culture and offer flexible working options, 26 days annual leave, the ability to buy or sell annual leave, supportive family policies, and a 6% pension contribution.

We are an equal opportunities employer, and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons.

This is a UK-wide role and can be home-based from anywhere in the UK. Some travel will be required, including occasional visits to our office in Andover, Hampshire. Office-based or hybrid working is also available for those living within commuting distance of Andover.

About the Role

Reporting to the Head of Communications, you’ll join a small, creative, and supportive team working to make a real impact for Scotland’s seas. This is a maternity cover position, offering an exciting opportunity to step into a dynamic role where you can quickly make a difference.

You’ll help craft engaging digital content and drive public campaigns that raise awareness of seafood sustainability and marine protection — inspiring both people and policymakers to take action.

A key part of your work will be supporting collaborative external campaigns and finding imaginative ways to grow Open Seas’ reach and influence. From storytelling through film and design to building our online presence, your creativity will help showcase Scotland’s incredible marine life — and the urgent need to protect it.

You’ll contribute across a range of activities, from managing social media and improving SEO, to developing new website content and visual communications.

We’re looking for someone who’s agile, proactive, and comfortable working in a fast-moving environment. You’ll be a positive self-starter and a collaborative team player who enjoys bringing fresh ideas to life and adapting as priorities evolve.

This maternity cover role is a fantastic opportunity to use your digital and creative skills for good — contributing to progressive, solutions-focused campaigns that help shape the future of Scotland’s seas.

About Open Seas

Open Seas is a small environmental charity working in Scotland and beyond to promote environmental recovery in our seas and champion sustainable seafood. Established in 2016, we conduct environmental and policy research to inform consumers, markets and decision-makers as well as generate campaigns to drive positive change for the environmental health of Scotland’s seas. 

Company Description

Marie Curie is the UK’s leading end-of-life charity. We are the largest non-NHS provider of end of life care in the UK, the only provider across all 4 nations, delivering community nursing and hospice care across the country, while providing information and support on all aspects of dying, death, and bereavement. Our leading research pushes the boundaries of what we know about good end of life, and our campaigns fight for a world where everyone gets to have the best possible quality of life while living with an illness, they’re likely to die from.

Job Description

The Senior Strategic Communications Manager will shape how the charity tells its story to the world. This person ensures our messages, campaigns, and content aligns with our mission and resonates with the audiences we serve. You’ll work across the organisation to turn complex priorities into compelling narratives, guiding teams to communicate with clarity, consistency, and purpose. It’s a role for someone who thrives at the intersection of strategy and storytelling - translating organisational goals into communications that inspire and influence.

This is an exciting, newly created role that offers the opportunity to shape our strategic communications approach from the ground up. You’ll play a key role in ensuring our external communications are cohesive, impactful, and aligned with our organisational strategy - strengthening Marie Curie’s public image and brand. If you're looking for a unique opportunity to make a meaningful difference and leave your mark, we’d love to hear from you!

You will be responsible for: 

• Working closely with the Director and Head of Communications to develop, manage and optimise Marie Curie’s external communication strategy.
• Leading strategic communications planning, translating organisational goals into actionable, audience-led communications plans. 
• Developing and overseeing key messaging frameworks and thematic narratives based on insight and research. 
• Evaluate performance, generate insights, and ensure continuous improvement.
• Advising and working closely with senior management, internal communications, teams across our income and innovation directorate and external agencies.
• Ensuring team, channel, campaign and product strategies are aligned and support the departmental, directorate and organisational strategy.
• Line managing the Strategic Communications Manager and leading matrix teams on key projects.

Key Criteria:

• Extensive experience in a senior external communications role, with a strong track record of delivering integrated, high-impact strategic communication campaigns from start to finish.
• Experience translating organisational strategy into compelling structured key messages for our audiences.
• Experience advising and influencing leadership and stakeholders at all organisational levels. 
• Proven track record of leading projects across teams and managing agency partnerships.  
• Confident and persuasive communicator with excellent writing, planning, and leadership skills.
• Highly capable of prioritising tasks and managing multiple projects and campaigns to meet deadlines. 
• Experience managing agencies and overseeing high-profile campaigns.
• Confident working in changing environments.
• Passion for purposeful communication that makes a measurable difference.
• Experience working in a charity, not-for-profit, or health-related organisation (desirable).

Please see the full job description. [LINK]

Additional Information

Application & Interview Process

• As part of your online application, you will be asked for a CV and supplementary details. Please review both the advert and job description and outline your most relevant skills, experience and knowledge for the role.
• Close date for applications: 9 Jan 2026.

Salary: £45,000-50,000 & £3,500 London weighting allowance where applicable.

Contract: Permanent, full-time

Based: Fully remote (work from home) or hybrid working (Embassy Gardens office in London).

Benefits you’ll LOVE:

• Flexible working. We’re happy to discuss flexible working at the interview stage.
• 25 days annual leave (exclusive of Bank Holidays)
• Marie Curie Group Personal Pension Scheme (we will match your contribution up to 7.5%)
• Loan schemes for bikes; computers and season tickets
• Continuous professional development opportunities.
• Industry-leading training programmes
• Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programmes
• Enhanced bereavement, family friendly and sickness benefits
• Access to Blue Light Card membership
• Subsidised Eye Care

Marie Curie is committed to its values, which underpin our work.  We take stringent steps to ensure that the people who join our organisation through employment or volunteering, are suitable for their roles and are committed to safeguarding all our people from harm. This includes our staff, volunteers and all those who use or come into contact with our services. We are dedicated to creating not just a safe place to work but also a supportive and rewarding one.

We are committed to a world where everyone can thrive and fulfil their potential. We are devoted to the social justice imperatives and organisational benefits of full diversity, inclusion and equity in the workplace, and are a Stonewall champion. We actively encourage and welcome applications from candidates of diverse cultures, perspectives and lived experiences.

We're happy to accommodate any requests for reasonable adjustments. Please email any requests to

Marie Curie is committed to its values, which underpin our work. We take stringent steps to ensure that the people who join our organisation through employment or volunteering, are suitable for their roles and are committed to safeguarding all our people from harm. This includes our staff, volunteers and all those who use or come into contact with our services. We are dedicated to creating not just a safe place to work but also a supportive and rewarding one.

We are committed to a world where everyone can thrive and fulfil their potential. We are devoted to the social justice imperatives and organisational benefits of full diversity, inclusion and equity in the workplace, and are a Stonewall champion. We actively encourage and welcome applications from candidates of diverse cultures, perspectives and lived experiences.

Community Fundraiser - London​

Are you ready to take on a new challenge with a leading charity making a real difference in brain tumour research? ​

Brain Tumour Research is seeking an experienced and motivated fundraiser to join our team. As a key part of our fundraising efforts in our high-performing East region, you will have the opportunity to drive income generation through a variety of initiatives, including challenge events, fundraising groups, and corporate partnerships such as charity of the year. You will also be responsible for driving initiatives to increase our profile and supporter base within London.​

Key Responsibilities: ​​​

• Generate income across a range of community fundraising initiatives and events, with the opportunity to lead on key projects 
• Steward supporters to help drive the charity’s fundraising activities and growth 
• ​Work with the fundraising team to develop and maintain strong relationships with fundraisers, donors, partners, and key stakeholders ​
• Contribute towards the growth and success of fundraising efforts, ensuring a sustainable income stream for the vital ongoing funding of brain tumour research ​​

Requirements: ​​

• At least one year of fundraising experience, with a proven track record in income generation 
• Strong experience in supporter stewardship  
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage and inspire supporters and partners alike ​
• Passion for Brain Tumour Research and its mission to fund research and ultimately find a cure 

​

If you are looking for a fulfilling and impactful role and have the level of experience and skill we are looking for, we welcome your application.​​

​For this role, the successful candidate must live in the London area.​​

​We reserve the right to close the application window early and advise candidates to apply in good time to avoid disappointment.

​

We are asking for a CV as the first step but applicants may be asked to provide a targeted covering letter as part of the selection process.  Interviews will be conducted during the application window as appropriate, and will consist of a first interview via MS Teams, progressing, if successful to a face to face second interview, held at our offices in Milton Keynes.

Closing Date: 04th January 2026

​

We are looking for people who share our passion for finding a cure for brain tumours and who have the skills and experience to make a difference. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, cultures, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, and ages. We believe that diversity enriches our organisation and helps us achieve our mission. We are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive environment where everyone can be themselves and contribute to our vision.

​

Overview

We have an exciting opportunity to drive ARMA’s engagement with political and health sector stakeholders and lead our communications. Working closely with the CEO, you'll help raise the profile of the Alliance, influence policy outcomes, and support members to collaborate to effect change.

Over 20 million people live with musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions in the UK.

ARMA brings together patient charities, professional bodies, research organisations and industry partners to work together for better MSK treatment, care and support.

You can help us to make MSK health a higher national priority and thereby improve the lives of millions of people.  You can also make a wide ranging contribution to us developing as a charity and Alliance.  This role will offer lots of opportunity for personal and professional development.

Key responsibilities

· Develop and implement ARMA's influencing and political engagement plans.

· Build relationships with key stakeholders, including politicians, government departments, and advisers.

· Monitor research, policy and legislative developments affecting MSK health.

· Draft briefings, consultation responses, letters, and parliamentary correspondence.

· Represent ARMA at meetings, roundtables, and political events.

· Chair and manage meetings and webinars comprising the policy and communications leads of member organisations.

· Lead and co-ordinate the annual Bone and Joint Week campaign activity and the combined efforts of member organisations.

· Develop and manage campaigns and external communications that promote the work of ARMA and our members, including social media channels, our monthly newsletter and website.

· Assist the CEO in policy and public affairs work and support the wider delivery of our strategy and operational plan, as required.

About you

We're looking for someone who brings:

· Experience working in a public affairs, parliamentary, or policy role either in-house, in an agency, or in a political setting.

· Excellent political awareness and understanding of UK policymaking.

· First rate written and verbal communication skills.

· A proactive and collaborative approach, with the ability to build relationships at all levels.

· An interest in health policy.

· Alignment with our vision and values.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a respected and important charity at the heart of a growing Alliance of organisations. You'll have autonomy, visibility, and the chance to make a meaningful impact whilst working with high profile members and stakeholders.