Senior communication manager jobs in castle point, essex

Key Details

We are seeking a proactive, confident, and relationship-driven Partnerships & Growth Officer to contribute to Bridging the Bar’s external income and growth activities. This is a highly client-facing role that involves engaging with chambers, organisations, major sponsors, donors, grant funders, and other external stakeholders to secure financial support for BTB’s mission and programmes. You will take ownership of outreach, lead meetings and negotiations, and build strong, long-term relationships that underpin the charity’s sustainability and impact. 

Job Title: Partnerships & Growth Officer
Location: Remote (c. twice a month travel to London and other UK cities, with expenses reimbursed).
Working Hours: Mon- Fri  9:00–18:00 with a one hour lunch break.
Weekend Work: 1–2 Saturdays per month (September to June), with time off in lieu.
Salary:£25,396.80 per annum, with eligibility for a discretionary bonus linked to organisational performance. The expected range for this bonus is £1,000–£5,000, depending on results.

About Bridging the Bar

Bridging the Bar (BTB) is an award-winning charity working to increase diversity at the Bar of England and Wales. We support aspiring barristers from underrepresented backgrounds through a range of high-impact programmes, events, and partnerships with leading chambers, law firms, and institutions.

The Role

We are seeking a proactive, confident, and relationship-driven Partnerships & Growth Officer to contribute to Bridging the Bar’s external income and growth activities. This is a highly client-facing role that involves engaging with chambers, organisations, major sponsors, donors, grant funders, and other external stakeholders to secure financial support for BTB’s mission and programmes. You will take ownership of outreach, lead meetings and negotiations, and build strong, long-term relationships that underpin the charity’s sustainability and impact.

As Partnerships & Growth Officer, you will manage the delivery and renewal of our annual Partnership Cycle, cultivate major sponsorships, prepare award and grant applications, support the development of new income streams such as our accreditation scheme, high-value individual giving, and crowdfunding, and innovate novel initiatives. You will work closely with the Head of Operations and Programmes, as well as the wider Programmes team, to ensure high-quality delivery across all external commitments, seamless coordination, and effective communication of BTB’s outcomes and impact.

This role is ideal for someone who is motivated by securing resources, enjoys leading external meetings, thrives in a varied and fast-moving environment, has a flexible and innovative approach, and is excited by the opportunity to contribute to BTB’s strategic growth and long-term success.

Key Responsibilities

Partnerships Cycle

Each year, Bridging the Bar works with a cohort of chambers and organisations who financially support our work through the Partnership Cycle. This cycle runs from April to April, with partners donating a set amount in return for formal recognition and a package of benefits delivered throughout the year. As the cycle progresses, you will be responsible for outreach and renewals, onboarding, benefit delivery, and ongoing relationship management.

As Partnerships & Growth Officer, you will be responsible for:

• Researching and identifying potential partner organisations, and conducting proactive outreach to engage them in the Partnership Cycle

• Renewing existing or recurring partnerships, ensuring positive and long-term relationships

• Leading meetings and negotiations with potential or existing partners to secure onboarding to the current Partnerships Cycle 

• Ensuring the smooth delivery of partnership benefits, including coordinating agreed activities and supporting partners to maximise the value of their engagement 

• Coordinating with programme teams where cross-team collaboration is required to ensure expectations are met in relation to partner benefits 

• Maintaining accurate partnership tracking, including invoicing, communications, benefit allocation, and delivery deadlines

• Monitoring partner accounts and taking a proactive approach to managing partner relationships and resolving issues 

• Developing and refining partnership materials, such as proposals, benefit decks, and outreach resources

• Bringing an innovative, solutions-focused approach to the design and delivery of partnership benefits and improvements to the overall cycle

• Gathering partnership feedback, ensuring partners understand the value and outcomes of their contribution

• Supporting impact reporting, including gathering relevant data, preparing summaries, and assisting the Head of Operations and Programmes in the production of reports for the Board

Major Sponsorships 

Bridging the Bar also secures major sponsorships to fund specific programmes, such as the Academy. These agreements are individually negotiated and supported through tailored engagement plans. You will be responsible for identifying potential major sponsors, supporting negotiations, coordinating the delivery of agreed benefits, and managing these relationships to ensure strong long-term sponsorships.

As Partnerships & Growth Officer, you will be responsible for:

• Researching and identifying potential major sponsors, and conducting proactive outreach to engage organisations aligned with our programmes and new initiatives

• Cultivating and renewing major sponsorships, ensuring positive, long-term relationships with key funders

• Developing proposals, presentations, and engagement resources tailored to major funders to support pitches 

• Collaborating with programme teams to ensure cross-team deliverables related to major sponsorships are met effectively and on schedule

• Maintaining accurate tracking of major sponsorships, including records of communications, deliverables, invoicing, and benefit fulfilment

• Proactively monitoring sponsor accounts, addressing emerging needs, and supporting strong relationship stewardship

• Gathering sponsor feedback and helping sponsors understand the outcomes and impact of their contribution

• Supporting impact reporting, including gathering relevant data, preparing summaries, and assisting the Head of Operations and Programmes in producing reports for the Board

Grants and Awards Applications 

Bridging the Bar also pursues opportunities through both achievement awards and monetary grants. Achievement awards help raise our profile and showcase the impact of our work, while grant funding supports the delivery and growth of our programmes. You will contribute to identifying suitable opportunities, preparing strong applications, and supporting the stewardship and reporting required by award bodies and grant funders.

As Partnerships & Growth Officer, you will be responsible for:

• Researching and identifying suitable opportunities that align with Bridging the Bar’s mission, programmes, impact, and funding requirements

• Drafting and preparing high-quality applications, including gathering evidence, impact data, and supporting materials

• Monitoring deadlines and submission requirements to ensure timely, accurate applications

• Assisting with stewardship of award bodies and grant funders, including timely communication and relationship management

• Supporting grant reporting requirements, such as gathering programme data, preparing summaries, and assisting the Head of Operations and Programmes with narrative and financial reporting

New Initiatives 

In addition to established activities, Bridging the Bar pursues new and emerging initiatives to support long-term financial sustainability, programme expansion, and reputational growth. This includes in our current development phase; a Chambers focused accreditation scheme, high-value individual giving, and crowdfunding campaigns. Future expansion has the scope to include other opportunities whether identified by the organisation or by you. You will help develop, test, and implement these initiatives as they evolve.

As Partnerships & Growth Officer, you will be responsible for:

• Overseeing the pilot of the accreditation scheme including; conducting meetings with pilot chambers, co-ordinating with consultants, ensuring deliverable are met, assisting with evaluation and refinement, supporting materials production

• Overseeing the initial stages of our high value individual giving work stream including; identifying potential givers, conducting relevant meetings, co-ordinating with suppliers, dispatching thank you gifts, and supporting materials production and distribution 

• Developing crowd funding and fundraising initiatives including; innovating themes for targeted campaigns, overseeing campaign delivery, co-ordinating with volunteer fundraisers, administering recurring donations, and supporting materials production and distribution 

• Applying a creative, solutions-focused mindset to identifying and shaping future opportunities

Other Duties 

Beyond core responsibilities, you will also support wider organisational activities as needed. This may involve assisting with the BarNav newsletter, representing Bridging the Bar at events, and completing additional tasks that contribute to the charity’s overall effectiveness.

• Overseeing production of the BarNav newsletter including; brainstorming issues themes, co-ordinating contributions from partners, sponsors, staff, and/or candidates, compiling contributions and drafting final issue in Canva, and collaborating with the programmes team to ensure distribution of each issue.

• Providing support to the Head of Operations and programmes where needed including; taking meeting minutes, supporting production of financial reports, and assisting with presenting to the Board 

• Collaborating with operations and programmes departments to support cross-functional delivery

• Representing BTB at BTB hosted events, relevant sector events, award ceremonies, or grant briefings where required

• Maintaining a flexible approach and supporting emerging needs across the charity as they arise

About You

Essential

• Adaptable and flexible, comfortable working in a changing environment

• Confident communicator, able to liaise with senior stakeholders and clients, lead meetings, negotiate, and network effectively

• Proactive and self-motivated, with the ability to take initiative

• Innovative, with a willingness to propose new ideas and approaches

• Aligned with the organisation’s values and mission-driven in approach

• Commercially aware, with an understanding of opportunities, markets, and value creation

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal

• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities

Desirable

• Experience with business development, corporate relations, grants, or sales or similar

• Demonstrated ability to build partnerships, generate opportunities, or support income-generating activities

• Understanding of the charity or legal landscape

• Creative approach to outreach and audience engagement, including digital communications and social media 

• Competence with common work tools (e.g., Google Workspace, Canva) and a willingness to learn new systems

What We Offer

• The opportunity to support an award-winning charity driving systemic change within the legal profession

• Opportunities to contribute to organisational strategy and shape new initiatives

• Remote-first working environment, enabling flexibility and autonomy

• Flexible scheduling, allowing you to balance work and personal commitments

• Additional annual leave, with one extra day of paid holiday for each year of service (up to three years)

• Reimbursed travel and accommodation expenses for all work-related travel

• Annual funded team celebration days to recognise achievements and strengthen team connection

• Role-specific training and professional development, tailored to your growth

• Regular supervision and mentorship to support your ongoing professional development

• Access to our Employee Development Fund to fund training courses or other progression costs 

• Access to our Employee Equipment Fund to fund to help you enhance your home-working setup

• Supportive, inclusive, and values-driven organisational culture

How to Apply

Please submit a one-page cover letter and CV via the form with the subject line (NAME) – Partnerships & Growth Officer Application - Stage One. Your cover letter should reflect your experience, vision for how you would contribute to the organisation, and commitment to BTB’s mission. This should be submitted to us directly via the email address on our website: applications that are not emailed directly will not be considered.

If you are successful at stage one, you will also be asked to complete pre-interview tasks as stage two between 12th Jan - 16th Jan.

Our third and final stage is an interview stage. Applicants successful at stage two will be invited to interview in W/C 19th Jan. 

We aim to make an offer in W/C 26th Jan. 

All applicants, successful or not, will receive application feedback from the panel.

Application Deadline: 09:00 12th January 2026 

Intended Start Date: 09:00 2nd March 2026 

Please note that you must both be located within and have the right to work in the UK for this role.

Contract: 1.0 FTE (37.5 hours per week), permanent with 6-month probation period

Salary: £56,650-70,000 per annum, depending on experience

Location: Remote working, with option to use co-working space

Start Date: As soon as possible

Reports to: Executive Director

Please note: You must have the right to work in the UK.

How to Apply

Closing Date: 4th January 2026 (23:59 GMT)

To apply, please submit the following: 

• Cover letter (maximum 2 pages)

• CV

Due to the volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If you have not heard from us within two weeks of the closing date, your application has not been successful on this occasion.

About BASIC

BASIC is an independent, non-profit think tank working to safeguard humanity and Earth's ecosystem from nuclear risks and interconnected security threats, for generations to come. Our vision is for a global security consensus founded on multilateralism, the recognition of the indivisibility of security, adherence to Earth's planetary boundaries, and consideration of future generations.

For nearly 40 years, we have built a global reputation for groundbreaking dialogue and incisive thought leadership to strengthen international peace and security. We are an intellectually and culturally diverse team of 20 expert-practitioners with deep institutional experience, headquartered in London with additional presences in Berlin and Rome. We are independent, receive no core funding from any state, and our project work is funded transparently.

BASIC's approach to resolving contemporary nuclear dynamics is centred on dialogue as both a practice and a philosophy. We interpret dialogue broadly, recognising that meaningful engagement takes many forms: from facilitating direct strategic conversations between adversaries grounded in conflict resolution principles, to developing networks and diplomatic initiatives that build consensus around shared objectives, to shaping the intellectual foundations of policy discourse through rigorous research and thought leadership.

BASIC is a fast-paced and rewarding environment with an exceptionally positive and inclusive team culture. We have experienced rapid growth over the past decade and are well-suited to people who are motivated by our mission, able to work at a sustained pace, keen to develop professionally, and enjoy being part of a collaborative team working on consequential issues.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary with room for growth

• 30 days annual leave (pro rata), plus bank holidays and closure days over the December festive period

• Employer pension contributions of 5% (above the national minimum)

• Flexible working arrangements, with set days (Wednesdays required) but flexibility on hours

• Remote working with option to use co-working space

• 1-2 all-staff in-person team away day per year, as well as other in-person working opportunities

• Opportunities for professional growth and development

• Excellent team culture built on respect, openness, and inclusion

The Role

BASIC is seeking a hands-on Financial Controller to lead our finance function during a period of sustained growth. The Financial Controller will work across Programme teams ensuring strong financial management and reporting to funding partners, maintain strong financial controls, ensure compliance with charity finance regulations, and provide accurate financial reporting to our Directors and Board of Trustees.

The Financial Controller will oversee the small finance team, including line management of a Finance Assistant and management of an external bookkeeper consultant. This team will be responsible for the majority of financial accounting, processing payroll, and accurate bookkeeping, for which the Financial Controller will be ultimately accountable.

The role includes managing restricted and unrestricted funds in accordance with funder requirements and programme needs, preparing statutory accounts for external audit, and overseeing payroll processing. This role reports directly to the Executive Director to prepare annual budgets and financial strategy, and works closely with the Board's Financial Development Committee to present its implementation.

The ideal candidate will be a qualified accountant with strong technical accounting skills, experience in charity finance, and a proven track record of effective financial management of a growing organisation. You should be comfortable both managing a small team and working hands-on when needed, building collaborative relationships across the organisation. You will need to be a multitasker with the ability to work at pace, and be willing to develop the finance function and best practices to enable the organisation to grow further.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Accounting and Reporting

• Oversee the maintenance of accurate financial records and bookkeeping in accordance with charity accounting standards (SORP)

• Prepare monthly management accounts including variance reporting and rolling forecasts

• Prepare annual statutory accounts and manage the annual independent audit process in its entirety

• Manage restricted and unrestricted funds in accordance with funder requirements

• Provide accurate and timely financial reporting to the Board of Trustees, Executive Director, and funding partners

Financial Operations

• Oversee day-to-day finance operations including payment processing, staff expenses, and cost allocation (including staff costs)

• Oversee monthly payroll using QuickBooks (led by Finance Assistant)

• Manage treasury functions including bank and cash management

• Oversee procurement of key assets such as IT equipment

• Cashflow management

Grant and Budget Management

• Support budget development for funding bids and proposals

• Monitor spend against grants and projects, working towards full cost recovery

• Prepare financial reports for donors and funding partners

• Lead annual budget-setting and forecasting processes in collaboration with the Board and Executive Director

Financial Systems and Controls

• Develop and maintain robust financial systems, processes, and controls

• Continuously improve finance processes and identify efficiencies

• Advise on financial governance and best practice

• Manage financial risks and opportunities (e.g., insurance, foreign exchange)

Team Management and Stakeholder Relations

• Line manage the Finance Assistant and oversee external bookkeeper consultant

• Build collaborative relationships across the organisation

• Manage relationships with key external stakeholders including banks, international transfer services, and audit partners

• Work closely with the Board's Financial Development Committee and BASIC's Treasurer

Please note: This list is not exhaustive. Other tasks may be required as they arise.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria:

• Qualified accountant (ACCA, CIMA, ACA or equivalent) or part-qualified with significant relevant experience
• Proven experience in a mid-level to senior finance role, with responsibility for financial accounting and reporting
• Experience managing restricted and unrestricted funds
• Experience preparing statutory accounts and managing audit processes
• Experience in a growing organisation, implementing and improving financial systems and controls
• Strong technical accounting skills and understanding of financial controls
• Excellent numeracy and attention to detail
• Proficiency with accounting software (experience with QuickBooks highly desirable)
• Strong Excel/spreadsheet skills
• Excellent communication skills, able to explain financial information to non-finance colleagues
• Highly organised with ability to manage multiple priorities and work to deadlines
• Proactive and solutions-oriented, with ability to work both independently and collaboratively
• Comfortable working hands-on when needed while also providing strategic oversight
• Ability to work at pace in a fast-growing organisation
• Commitment to BASIC's mission and values

Desirable Criteria:

• Experience in charity finance and understanding of charity accounting standards (SORP)
• Experience line managing finance staff
• Experience in an international organisation or with international funding
• Understanding of charity governance and regulatory requirements

Job Title: New Business Fundraising Consultant
Location: Home-based
Contract: Part-time or Full-time, for 3 months
Day Rate: £400 per day
Start: early January 2026

Charity People are a recruiting for a well-established national organisation dedicated to making a meaningful impact in our communities, who require a New Business Fundraising Consultant for a period of three months from January 2026. This role requires an experienced fundraising professional to drive new business opportunities and help the charity secure vital income for their work.

This function is relatively new to organisation. Whilst they have an existing pipeline, activity has been limited, and they are looking for someone to drive this forward. The role will focus on building out the new business pipeline, identifying internal opportunities that would appeal to corporate partners, networking, and securing meetings with influential stakeholders across a range of sectors. A new business brochure is in place but requires a refresh. The pipeline run from six figures and beyond.

Key Responsibilities:

• Identify and develop new business fundraising opportunities
• Build and maintain relationships with potential corporate partners and donors
• Create compelling proposals and presentations to secure funding
• Work collaboratively with internal teams to align fundraising strategies with organisational goals
• Monitor progress and report on outcomes to senior leadership

You will bring:

• Proven experience in new business fundraising within the charity sector
• Strong networking and relationship-building skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities
• Knowledge of corporate partnerships and income generation strategies

Ideally you will already be set up with your own business account working on a self-employed basis and responsible for your own taxes, expenses, and leave. There is flexibility in how many days this role is worked per week.

If this opportunity might be of interest and you have capacity to take on some work in the New Year, please apply with your CV in the first instance.

Charity People is a forward thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.