Senior programmes officer jobs in birmingham

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) 

• 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.

• 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.

BACKGROUND   

Magic Breakfast’s mission is to end child morning hunger in the UK now and for good. The latest research suggests that 2.7 million children are at risk of hunger, meaning one in five children don’t have enough to eat. When a child is too hungry to learn, they struggle to concentrate, absorb information, and manage their emotions, causing them to fall behind in their studies.

Magic Breakfast provides a nutritious breakfast to over 300,000 children and young people every school day. We work with schools in areas of high disadvantage, helping staff target children most in need without barrier or stigma.

We are now at an exciting point in our journey as we launch Nourishing Futures, our long-term strategy, which will scale our impact and redefine breakfast spaces not only as places to eat, but as places to thrive.

To support the delivery of this strategy, we are evolving our Business Development function with the creation of a new role – Head of Business Development. This role will enable continue growth and investment from public funding sources, whilst ensuring that we are able and positioned to capitalise on the growing number of commercial opportunities. It will also lead a move  towards more innovative and blended income models across England, Wales and Scotland.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead the Business Development function as an innovation hub, proactively horizonscanningfor opportunities across public funding, commercial activity, and philanthropicgiving. Ensure the team can respond with agility and flex resources to pursue the moststrategic and sizeable opportunities, including blended income streams and complex,multi-strand bids or partnerships that span commissioning, corporate, and philanthropy.

• Coach, lead and support the Business Development team (BD Manager England &Wales, BD Manager Scotland, BD Executive), setting clear objectives, KPIs, and expectations for income growth and performance and ensuring a values-driven culture.

• Work collaboratively across the fundraising leadership team to ensure it operates as a cohesive, high-performing unit that acts with agility to plan, pivot and make strategic decisions that maximise opportunities and drive growth.

• Ensure compliance with procurement processes, contracts, GDPR, safeguarding, and relevant charity law, embedding ethical business development across the function and taking responsibilities for operationalising of and adherence to all of Magic Breakfast’s policies and processes.

• Drive growth in public funding by securing contracts with local authorities, devolved governments, health and education commissioners, multi-academy trusts, and other public bodies.

• Oversee the preparation of high-quality tenders, bids, and proposals, ensuring they are evidence-based, competitive, and strategically aligned.

• Identify and pursue complex, multi-strand funding opportunities that bring together commissioned income, philanthropy, and corporate support.

• Apply a strong understanding of Magic Breakfast’s goals, strategies, and business plan to inform Business Development activity, ensuring all initiatives are aligned with organisational priorities and contribute to long-term objectives.

•  Conduct annual planning and budgeting in partnership with the Director of Fundraising & Development, setting, measuring, and reporting against agreed KPIs.

Please see job description for reponsibilities. 

WHAT WE OFFER

At Magic Breakfast we value our employees and work hard to develop offer a supportive, respectful culture which enables everyone to bring their whole self to work.

APPLICATION PROCCESS

Should you wish to discuss the role before applying please email our People and Culture Team, recruitment @ magicbreakfast. com

Shortlisting - w/c 1st December

Interview 1 - 8th December

Interview 2 - 15th December

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a high volume of applications are received. This is to ensure that we can manage application levels whilst maintaining a positive candidate experience. Unfortunately, once a vacancy has closed, we are unable to consider further applications.