Senior programme developer jobs in cambridge, cambridgeshire
About us
Genetic Alliance UK is the national charity working to improve the lives of the 3.5 million people in the UK affected by genetic, rare and undiagnosed conditions. We are an alliance of over 220 charities and support groups, uniting patient voices to campaign for timely diagnosis, better care, and improved access to treatments.
We host Rare Disease UK (the national campaign for implementation of the UK Rare Diseases Framework) and SWAN UK (the only dedicated support network for families of children with undiagnosed genetic conditions) and we run the annual Rare Disease Day campaign.
About the role
This is a creative and purpose-driven role at the heart of our charity’s communications. As Senior Communications Officer, you’ll help us tell powerful stories, share our impact, and build connections with our members, supporters and partners.
You’ll lead on producing engaging digital content, managing our social media and newsletters, and keeping our website fresh and accessible. You’ll also support light-touch fundraising campaigns, helping us grow our income and supporter base.
This is an ideal role for someone who enjoys combining creativity with strategy, you’ll use your writing, design and digital skills to make our work visible and compelling, while ensuring the voices of those living with rare conditions remain at the centre of everything we do.
You’ll work closely with the Head of Membership and Communications and our new Director of Engagement and Impact, contributing ideas that strengthen how we engage all our audiences.
About you
We’re looking for someone who is:
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A strong communicator with at least two years’ experience in a communications role.
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Skilled in producing visual and written content for websites, social media and newsletters.
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Confident using digital tools (e.g. Canva, Adobe suite, Wordpress/Drupal).
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Organised, creative, and comfortable working both independently and collaboratively.
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Motivated by making a difference for people affected by genetic, rare and undiagnosed conditions.
Experience in the health, social care or charity sector would be an advantage, but curiosity and empathy matter just as much as direct experience.
What we offer
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Generous pension (5% employer, 3% employee)
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25 days annual leave (pro rata) plus bank holidays
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Full office closure over Christmas and New Year
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Flexible, home-based working with supportive team culture
Location: Home-based (UK) – occasional travel required
Salary: £29,705 (pro rata £23,764 for 0.8 FTE)
Contract: Permanent, 28 hours per week (0.8 FTE)
Closing date: 27 November 2025
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
We are looking for a creative, driven, compassionate, Communications Lead to develop, lead, and implement an integrated communications strategy that supports our ambition to double the number of adults learning to read with Read Easy UK by the end of our current strategy.
As a strong communications generalist, with strategic and operational expertise, the Communications Lead will work closely with employees, volunteers and other key stakeholders to strengthen the charity’s national brand and position. This role covers all aspects of communications including media relations, digital communications, brand communications, stakeholder and internal communications.
The post holder will shape and deliver communications activity that inspires, informs, and engages our key audiences, including volunteers, potential Readers, funders, the media, and partners across the UK.
The successful candidate will be strategic and agile and will enjoy shaping strategy alongside delivering communications activity. This is a standalone role, leading and delivering internal and external communications for the organisation in collaboration with other key partners.
Location: Fully Remote/Home-based with very occasional travel to regional groups as required and for up to 3 team meetings per annum (currently held in Birmingham).
Reports to: Read Easy UK CEO.
Line Management: Volunteers and freelancers, and potential for future employees.
Start date: January 2026 (or sooner).
Salary & Benefits
- Salary: Up to £15,200 - £22,800 depending on hours (Up to £38k FTE).
- 25 days holiday plus bank holidays and Christmas closing and 2 days volunteering leave – pro-rata for part time roles.
- Company sick pay to financially support you when you are unwell (above statutory upon completion of probationary period).
- Support when extending your family – company parental and adoption pay (above statutory after 12 months service)
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Access to RewardHub – which gives retail discounts and has a ‘Wellbeing Centre’ with tools, tips, recipes, workout videos and guides which will help you to reach your own wellbeing goals.
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Training and Development opportunities and resources – we are developing plans in this area to enhance employee experience and opportunity
- A collaborative, creative and inspiring working environment full of committed and passionate employees and inspirational volunteers
We strive to ensure our recruitment practices are fair, open, easy to access and as inclusive as possible. We aim to recruit a team which broadly reflect the local communities which we serve; to work with and learn from each other to continually improve the service we deliver to our Readers. Our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Group is actively promoting and advancing diversity and inclusion, ensuring a culture where everyone can be themselves and thrive. We welcome you to apply and be your authentic self.
When applying for a job with us, if an applicant has a disability covered by the definition outlined within the Equality Act 2010 and can show that they meet the ‘essential criteria’ described in the person specification for the role being applied for, they are guaranteed an interview for the job for which they are applying through our Disability Confident scheme.
If you need any support with your application or have any questions in advance of an application, please do contact us.
Please download the applicant pack for full job description and person specification and for details on how to apply.
The closing date to apply for this opportunity is Sunday 30 Nov 2025 (11.59PM).
Should you be shortlisted, the first round of interviews will take place online on Tuesday 2nd December 2025.
We anticipate a second round of interviews on the afternoon of Wednesday 10th December 2025.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.