An exciting new role for the charity, EDT’s Digital Transformation Officer will take a fundamental role in the optimisation and digitisation across the organisation to support young people with both online and face-to-face activities. Using creative and forward thinking and a passion for digital tools, the post holder will help improve the lives of young people, regardless of their background.

Location is flexible, around one of our offices (Southampton, Welwyn Garden City, Plymouth, Birmingham, Nottingham, Glasgow).

Responsibilities include:

Operations and Project Management

• Agree annual budget with Finance Manager and be accountable for delivering successfully against that budget, with a focus on cost control and value for money
• Regular financial and operational reporting
• Project manage digital projects and ensure relationships with external stakeholders, staff and audiences are all managed effectively, i.e. requirements captured or challenged where necessary, delivery of robust, reliable solutions against clear expectations
• Train staff on new digital solutions to ensure the transformational change is embedded
• Maintain development environments and manage change requests

Technology Platform for online experiences

• Build recommendations and fully costed solutions meeting the charities aims whilst keeping within the tight constraints of a charity’s support costs.
• Implement and manage technology solution/s (with suppliers) and to engage stakeholders and ensure ease and reliability of access to engage with EDT
• Ensure the charity is receiving the best cost solutions using discounts and negotiated deals where possible.
• Identify, recommend and source other products to support the user experience while maintaining safeguarding.

Website Improvement

• Optimise, develop and co-ordinate our website aligned to new messaging and branding and learning management system/online member hub
• Work cross team to create a digital community which supports stakeholder experiences, helps young people take part and stay connected and promotes the work we do

Risk management and policy compliance

• Review and update the ICT policy, ensuring it is aligned to GDPR policy. Input into GDPR Policy for the ICT technical aspects
• In line with rules agreed with GDPR Lead, undertake regular data cleansing and where possible automate
• Use knowledge of Safeguarding policy and awareness of safeguarding issues to build in the relevant controls and safeguards into the digital solutions, website and other systems
• Promote IT safety and policy compliance (IT, GDPR) culture amongst users to protect the charity and its stakeholders

Continuous improvement- On-going review of processes

• Maintain a good working knowledge of the full range of EDT programmes, activities and accreditations
• Critically review the use of systems (Website CMS, CRM, LMS, bespoke applications) and collaboration and communication tools (Teams, Skype…) for maximal efficiency and integration
• Identify improvements to achieve the charity’s vision and collaborate with others to implement these
• Work alongside marketing team to ensure continuity of student, sponsor and supporter experiences
• Where appropriate, work with other teams to ensure proper use and update of systems
• Keep on top of innovative ways to present EDT content, proposing and implementing with changing digital trends. Turn insight into real actions and solutions

Competencies - Attributes - Skills

• Preference of IT Degree or completed Apprenticeship programme in IT - able to demonstrate strong technical skills
• Agile thinker who embraces change and its opportunities and is willing to learn and adapt in response
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to work co-operatively and confidently with colleagues and other stakeholders
• Ability to work to deadlines, plan workload and demonstrate effective time management 
• Energetic and committed with a clear focus on achieving results
• Professional and proactive, with a real pride in quality of work
• Positive and resilient attitude
• Adaptable and flexible
• Ability to be an engaging and inspiring ambassador for EDT
• Experience relevant to charity/third sector/youth sector
• Excellent knowledge in identifying suitable products, and building lasting partnerships with our key suppliers
• Significant experience of website development and optimisation
• Experience of Learning Management Systems, Microsoft Dynamics or other CRM systems and user experience models
• Successful project management experience involving IT and non-IT personnel- essential
• Familiarity with Agile methodology
• Knowledge of CSS and javascript an advantage

Special conditions

• The successful candidate will be required to fulfil an enhanced DBS/PVB check and should hold a clean driving licence
• The post holder will be required to attend meetings and to travel offsite, possible involving overnight stays.

Are you collaborative, flexible, diplomatic and assertive, with effective management and leadership skills, a current practising certificate and proven PQE as a Solicitor? Then join Shelter as Assistant Director – Legal Services and you could soon be playing a vital leadership role at the heart of our Legal Services team..

A home is a fundamental human need, as essential as education or healthcare. Yet millions of people across Britain struggle on a daily basis with homelessness, bad housing conditions, soaring rents, discrimination and the threat of eviction. So, we are striving for change — with individuals, in communities, across society – and leading the way to a safe home. We need ambitious, best-in-class individuals who are passionate about our cause to join us at this exciting time. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve.

Shelter’s services provide the support that can be the difference between someone keeping or losing their home. Our Services directorate is the largest in Shelter, with some 700 staff plus volunteers, operating in 12 hubs, 21 courts, 19 prisons, and many other community locations. Our Legal Services teams not only help individuals to keep their homes, they also use the law to achieve social change through strategic litigation. As an Assistant Director, you’ll also be part of a Services Leadership Team that reports to the Director of Services and forms part of our Revolution group - a team of some 20 staff responsible for the stewardship of our strategic goals. This role could also be home-based or work out of  one of our hubs.

About the Role
This high profile role will see you provide leadership and direction on the part our legal services can play to enhance the objectives of our strategy, as well as Shelter’s fundamental aim - to defend the right to a safe home. Indeed, you’ll be a real agent for change in delivering Shelter’s strategic aims, with a particular focus on aligning the delivery of multi-channel and diversely-funded legal services with other Shelter services and ensuring alignment with those aims. Developing our strategic litigation team so it can influence changes in the law and its practice will be an important aspect of the role too, as will providing legal practice and compliance expertise to the Director of Services and Assistant Director cohort. And, when it comes to representing us in external forums related to the delivery of legal services, fulfilling compliance role requirements, managing risk or implementing organisation-wide initiatives, again, we’ll rely on you

About you
You’ll need experience of working in social welfare law, plus an extensive track record of conducting and supervising civil litigation in areas relevant to Shelter’s activities. Strong influencing and negotiation skills are essential too, as is the ability to motivate and develop others. We’re also looking for impressive project and change management skills gained at senior leadership level, including the ability to build business and benefit cases and work cooperatively to improve and sustain change outcomes. Used to working in a matrix management environment, identifying, managing and mitigating risk and ensuring compliance is promoted and fully considered at all stages of planning and delivery also comes naturally to you.

Benefits
We offer a wide range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave, enhanced family friendly policies, pension and interest free travel loans. Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, payroll giving, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme.

Shelter helps millions of people every year struggling with bad housing or homelessness through our advice, support and legal services. And we campaign to make sure that, one day, no one will have to turn to us for help. We’re here so no one has to fight bad housing or homelessness on their own.

To find out more about the role and the benefits of working for Shelter please visit our website. Apply to be part of our Services Leadership team and be the change you want to see in society.

Safeguarding is everyone’s business. Shelter is committed to protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. All our staff will be expected to observe professional standards of behaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies.

At Shelter, we welcome and encourage applications from everyone regardless of age, disability, gender, ethnicity, religion and sexual orientation. We also encourage applications from people, who have been homeless or have been at risk of homelessness. We are facing diverse problems, so need diverse people to tackle them. In addition to this, we encourage an approach to involving people with personal insight of housing issues and homelessness in our recruitment processes.

Shelter does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.

Flexible location – can be based in any of Shelter’s 12 hubs in England or home based

Are you an effective manager and leader with exemplary project and change management skills gained at a senior leadership level, including the ability to build business and benefit cases and identify, manage and mitigate risk? Then join Shelter as Assistant Director – National and Professional Services and you could soon be playing a vital role in ensuring our contracts and professional services run smoothly.

A home is a fundamental human need, as essential as education or healthcare. Yet millions of people across Britain struggle on a daily basis with homelessness, bad housing conditions, soaring rents, discrimination and the threat of eviction. So, we are striving for change — with individuals, in communities, across society – and leading the way to a safe home. We need ambitious, best-in-class individuals who are passionate about our cause to join us at this exciting time. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve.

Shelter’s services provide the support that can be the difference between someone keeping or losing their home. Our Services directorate is the largest in Shelter, with some 700 staff plus volunteers, operating in 12 hubs, 21 courts, 19 prisons, and many other community locations. As an Assistant Director, you’ll also be part of a Services Leadership Team that reports to the Director of Services and forms part of our Revolution group - a team of some 20 staff responsible for the stewardship of our strategic goals. This role could also be home-based or work out of one of our hubs.

About the Role
As Assistant Director – National and Professional Services you’ll oversee a range of significant national contracts/professional services across the organisation. This will include Transforming Rehabilitation, the National Homeless Advisory Service and Specialist Debt Advice, and your challenge will be to ensure they remain of high quality, aligned to our strategy, financially viable and achieve full cost recovery. Along the way, you’ll also collaborate with our Services Quality and Development Team to create a flexible portfolio of national contracts/professional services that are aligned with Shelter strategy and some exciting major change programmes. Developing and sharing professional and organisational expertise in contract management across Services Directorate will be important too, as will ensuring that national and professional services are aligned with the Shelter brand and culture. Acting as national/professional services lead in supporting campaigns and policy, providing leadership and direction to heads of national/professional services, establishing risk management processes and acting as risk management lead across Services – all are aspects of this high profile role.

About you
Collaborative, flexible, diplomatic and assertive, with good influencing and negotiation skills, you have a proven ability to manage, motivate and develop others and improve and sustain change outcomes. You also have substantial project management experience that’s been gained working in cross department and multi layered teams. A track record of working in a matrix management environment where you had responsibility for cross organisational objectives is essential too. And, when it comes to promoting compliance and ensuring it’s fully considered at all stages of planning and delivery, again, you’re just the person for the job.

We offer a wide range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave, enhanced family friendly policies, pension and interest free travel loans. Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, payroll giving, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme.

Shelter helps millions of people every year struggling with bad housing or homelessness through our advice, support and legal services. And we campaign to make sure that, one day, no one will have to turn to us for help. We’re here so no one has to fight bad housing or homelessness on their own.

To find out more about the role and the benefits of working for Shelter please visit our website. Apply to be part of our Services Leadership team and be the change you want to see in society.

Safeguarding is everyone’s business. Shelter is committed to protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. All our staff will be expected to observe professional standards of behaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies.

At Shelter, we welcome and encourage applications from everyone regardless of age, disability, gender, ethnicity, religion and sexual orientation. We also encourage applications from people, who have been homeless or have been at risk of homelessness. We are facing diverse problems, so need diverse people to tackle them. In addition to this, we encourage an approach to involving people with personal insight of housing issues and homelessness in our recruitment processes.

Shelter does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.

To apply please email your CV and a supporting statement that addresses the key criteria on the job description via the apply button. 

Who we are looking for

We are looking for a motivated and talented communications professional to join our Programmes team in a newly created role. The Programmes Communications Manager will design and own the communications strategy to multiple stakeholder groups within an assigned portfolio of programmes. This position plays a crucial role in developing high-quality communications that align to our brand and increase participant engagement in the programmes.

This is an exciting new role in our organisation and the successful candidate will have the opportunity to shape the role as our ways of working are established. The Programmes Communications Manager will act as a product specialist of the programme’s; its’ current participants and the customer group more generally. This role will work closely with the wider programme team to quality assure all copy for accuracy and consistency.

Based in either our London, Birmingham or Manchester offices, and reporting to our Associate Dean, Programme Leader, you will bring outstanding communication skills, both written and verbal, as well excellent attention to detail to the role. As well as this, you will hold excellent organisation and project management skills, as well as the ability to assess, prioritise and manage a varied workload.

Who are Ambition Institute?

Ambition Institute has one purpose: to help educators serving children from disadvantaged backgrounds to keep getting better. With our new organisation, and more than ten years of collective experience in working with educators at all levels, we believe that exciting opportunities lie ahead. We are a graduate school for educators, and we apply academic rigour to our learning design, drawing on frontline insights from schools into what works in practice. Our programmes leverage the latest evidence from international experts, which means we think carefully about what is taught, how, and in what sequence. We work collaboratively to enable school improvement for the benefit of pupils, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Our offer

We are happy to announce that we will be able to offer you:

• Flexibility on how you work – agreed between you and your line manager
• A competitive annual leave entitlement of 25 days, plus bank holidays
• 2 additional annual leave days for 1 day booked during December over the festive period
• A generous employer pension contribution of 11% (10% pension plus 1% NI rebate)
• Competitive salary rates
• Access to an interest free season ticket and bike loans, as well as eyecare vouchers
• An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) which provides confidential support for employees on personal or work-related matters.
• A robust learning and development offer that ensures your continuous professional development

How to apply

Applications are being assessed as they are received; the advert will close Monday 21st September 2020 at 9.00am. We encourage all interested candidates to apply for the role as soon as possible.

To apply for this role, or any of our other vacancies or for any questions or queries please visit our website.

Equality and diversity matters to us. If you think you’d be suited to one of our roles we’d love to hear from you regardless of age, disability status, ethnicity, gender, religion or sexuality.

We are the UK’s largest Law Centre, with a national reputation for innovation and excellence in using the law to improve the lives of some of the most disadvantaged people in our community.

We work across Coventry and Birmingham helping nearly 6,000 people each year to access justice and uphold their everyday rights, by providing specialist legal advice on social justice issues including housing, employment, debt, benefits, asylum and immigration.

As well as offering casework and representation delivered by legal experts we work in partnership with local universities, local authorities and the voluntary sector to deliver legal education and rights awareness-raising. You can read more about our impact in our annual report available on our website. 

We are looking for a vibrant, enthusiastic and experienced communications and engagement professional with a proven track record in networking, partnership building and leading high quality communications strategies. You will help us work with our existing and new partners to expand the reach of our work in the short term but also contribute to raising our profile and awareness of the issues our clients face and inspire more support.

It’s vital now more than ever that our local community knows we’re here to help them, and this role is key to ensuring that. For example, we want to build our social media platforms, so they connect with and engage local people and community groups. We also want to produce high quality communications materials that help front line staff working in other organizations identify legal advice needs and enable people to get the right advice at the right time. Your strong partnership building skills will ensure that these meet their needs as well as our target service users.  

This is a brand-new post with lots of potential to make your mark. This role is initially funded for 12 months and its continuation is subject to its success and securing ongoing funding.The postholder will take over responsibility for communications and marketing activities that are currently spread between other members of the team and build on these to create, and deliver, an effective stakeholder engagement and communications strategy and plan.

The Communications and Engagement Manager will be supported by the Senior Management Team and a part time Communications Assistant but will also need to be a self-starter willing to ‘do’ as well as lead. You will have autonomy to think creatively, and the confidence and experience to lead our communications work in a way that works collaboratively with our expert legal staff and support staff.

This is a fantastic opportunity to play an essential role in a friendly organization that is making a real difference. See full job description below.

Other benefits: 28 days holiday (rising to 35 days after 5 years’ service) plus 8 statutory days and pension scheme membership.

Please download an application pack by visiting the 'work for us' page on our website.  No CVs required.

Closing date for applications is 10am on Monday, 28th September 2020

Interviews will be held via Zoom on Friday, 2nd October 2020

Job description

The primary aim of this role is to provide strategic direction and increase capacity to our communications and engagement work across the whole organisation. Initially the role will work closely with senior management to redevelop and implement a communication and engagement strategy to ensure the maximum number of people can benefit from timely legal advice as they deal with the impact of COVID-19. It will also support our longer-term ambition to build a Rights in Practice approach in the communities where we work by increasing our network of partners, increasing knowledge and use of legal rights amongst frontline professionals and members of the public and increasing support for the work of the Law Centre.

Key responsibilities
• To work closely with senior managers and staff to develop a communications and partnership engagement strategy to support the work of the Law Centre and ensure it is regularly reviewed and refined.
• To develop stakeholder messaging and channel management strategies that support our strategy and objectives.
• To lead on the implementation of the strategy, building and strengthening relationships with other organisations who share our values and work with our client group, focussing resources where they can have maximum impact on audiences and driving up the quality of our communications.
• To build skills and capacity of Law Centre colleagues to communicate complex social and legal issues in a simple, engaging and accurate way.
• To build skills and capacity of Law Centre colleagues to nurture and sustain partnerships with other organisations.
• To support the development of communication and training materials identified as needed to support Law Centre initiatives.
• To ensure quality and consistency of copy, use of standard templates, advising on best format of material, consistent use of the Law Centre branding and appropriate dissemination routes of all communication materials.
• To develop and keep up-to-date marketing materials on our services, and make sure they reach people in our community, relevant stakeholders and referring agencies.
• To identify and manage creative projects from concept to delivery, to time and to budget.
• To develop our social media strategy and profile in line with the Law Centre strategy ensuring all our key audiences are reached and that we engage our community.
• To be responsible for the organisation’s websites and social media channels, including daily operation, content, on-going development, and liaise with external relevant suppliers.
• To create (and support other staff to create) online content that engages people with our work and vision, highlights our impact and brings the experiences of the people we work with to life.
• To manage requests for client stories and experiences from media outlets.
• To ensure client confidentiality is maintained in preparation of all communications materials and that consent is obtained and records maintained in line with CELC policies and procedures.
• Maintain and develop the Law Centre’s visual assets and increase their use in routine communications.
• To ensure effective systems and processes for all communications and stakeholder relationship activity including compliance with GDPR.

Person Specification

• Experience of developing an effective stakeholder engagement strategy in the charity sector and a communications strategy for multi-project initiative.
• Demonstrable experience of raising the profile of an organisation and attracting a range of audiences to a cause.
• Experience of producing a wide range of digital and print communication and marketing materials for a range of audiences.
• Experience of generating and delivering digital content to targeted audiences in alignment with organisational objectives.
• Experience of creative project management – from taking a brief and developing a concept and schedule, to engaging stakeholders at relevant points, and delivering project on time and to brief and budget (across a range of platforms and media).
• Experience in writing engaging web copy and managing website content.
• Experience in successfully commissioning designers (including volunteers).
• Experience of working with vulnerable people and the ethics around communications work in that context.
• Experience in media relations, including building positive relationships with journalists, writing compelling press releases, and protecting the interests of charity’s clients/users. (desirable)
• Experience in managing volunteers and staff (desirable)
Skills/Knowledge
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and proven ability to forge new relationships.
• Broad understanding of the impact of poverty on individuals, families and communities in our region and the role access to justice and increased knowledge of legal rights has in mitigating this.
• Excellent written skills and proven ability to get the message across in different formats to attract a wide-ranging audience, including ability to understand and communicate complex issues in a simple and engaging way.
• Skills in using design platforms such as CanvaPro to produce creative, clear and engaging communication assets.
 

Personal Attributes
• Self-motivated, able to work independently and on own initiative and able to organise own workload and that of the team
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Commitment to and understanding of the aims and objectives of the Law Centre
• Good oral and written communication skills
• Understanding of the importance of confidentiality in a Law Centre
• Commitment to equal opportunities
• Non-judgemental attitude