Service development manager jobs in white city, greater london
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.
BACKGROUND
Over the past 90 years, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) has developed unparalleled expertise in responding to emergencies and helping uprooted communities to rebuild. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. The IRC is on the ground in more than 40 countries, providing emergency relief, relocating refugees and rebuilding lives in the wake of disaster.
The IRC is committed to a culture of bold leadership, innovation in all aspects of our work, creative partnerships and, most crucially, accountability to those we serve. The IRC is a tireless advocate for the most vulnerable.
IRC UK
IRC UK is part of the IRC global network, which has its global headquarters in New York. Our team in the UK works to raise profile, deliver policy and practice change, and increase funding to help restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Since 2021, IRC UK has also provided integration services directly to refugees in England.
In Europe, the IRC also has offices in Berlin, Bonn, Brussels, Geneva and Stockholm.
EXTERNAL RELATIONS
The External Relations (ER) unit comprises four complementary functions: Private Fundraising, Marketing & Mobilization, Policy & Advocacy and Operations & Analytics. To enable IRC to deliver our Strategy100 commitments, the ER unit established a bold new approach that enhances our ability to raise diverse and flexible funding aligned with IRC’s top priorities, while raising our profile and influence. The ER unit is international, with colleagues in more than 10 offices globally.
The Purpose of the Role
As Director of Communications, UK, you lead IRC UK’s core communications strategy with the objectives of growing our profile, influencing policy, driving income, and building our reputation. This is done by taking a strategic approach to generating effective messaging for cross-team use, creatively collaborating to produce cut-through external products across media and digital channels, and generating top tier media coverage in collaboration with communications, advocacy and fundraising colleagues globally. In this role you will be expected to use expert judgment to manage IRC UK’s reputation, as well as ensure media and digital outputs protect clients, staff and programming from harm.
The Director will report to the UK Executive Director and the Acting Senior Director of Global Public Affairs. The Director will collaborate closely with the Director for Digital Engagement, UK Advocacy Director, and the Director of UK Mass Markets to meet the organization’s strategic objectives surrounding profile, income and influence.
Scope and Authority
Authority:
●The role holder sets strategic direction for UK communications, with a focus on earned media, public advocacy and organic digital.
●The role oversees the UK comms operational budget, with access to the Global External Relations budget.
●The role has the authority to brief journalists with agreed messaging and act as spokesperson for the organisation.
●The Director will line manage the communications team and other positions when required.
●The role is a key member of the UK Senior Management Team, with collective responsibility for the leadership, culture and efficacy of IRC UK.
Key Working Relationships
●Reports to the UK Executive Director and Acting Senior Director Global Public Affairs & Communications.
●Close collaboration with External Relations staff in the UK, US and globally, including Policy and Advocacy, Mass Markets, Fundraising, Awards Management, Digital Engagement, Entertainment Relations, Creative Studio, and Experiential Marketing.
●Works closely with key country directors, country programme staff and technical unit colleagues.
●Supports policy staff in the IRC President’s Office on key UK messages and policy initiatives involving the IRC President.
●Works closely with counterparts in NGOs and donors particularly FCDO and the DEC.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
Strategic Direction
●Raise IRC UK's profile, income, influence and brand in the UK market by developing and delivering a 360 comprehensive communications & marketing strategy that reaches target audiences, attracts new supporters, and connects supporters with IRC clients.
●Partner with global external relations leadership to set Key Performance Indicators for achieving the strategy, and drive and monitor progress towards them with the support of your team.
●Contribute to the development and delivery of the UK Strategic Plan.
Team Management & Stakeholder engagement
●Manage a team of communications professionals, setting objectives, portfolio scope, and partnering on professional development opportunities
●Drive creative insights and strategic thinking within the UK comms team and influence / maximize policy, advocacy and fundraising outputs and results
●Lead strategic communications planning to maximize opportunities of partnering with income and influence objectives and outputs
●Ensure the UK Communications Team are clear on systems, processes and organization to drive efficiency and team productivity
●Review team performance quarterly and present on results to global stakeholders
●As a member of the UK Senior Management Team (UK SMT) support the UK Executive Director in the creation and delivery of IRC UK strategies and priorities, foster cohesion and collaboration among UK based departments, representing the needs and objectives of the team in the UK SMT and UK office.
Execution: Driving IRC profile, influence and income; and protecting the reputation of the IRC
●Work alongside global communications colleagues, Policy & Advocacy colleagues, Digital Engagement and UK Fundraisers to develop appropriate messaging on key proactive and reactive issue areas across the scope of IRC’s work.
●Plan and identify key moments of opportunity for IRC UK Communications according to internal and external landscape and timetables.
●Ensure pro/reactive message accuracy and cut through calls to action that engage audiences for proactive campaigns and news cycle opportunities.
●Develop, commission and drive creative cut-through tactics and products, from revealing IRC research and analysis to emergency media briefings.
●Secure top tier media coverage of IRC’s work, solutions and innovation, balancing mentions with long-form/features and profiles.
●Influence and shape key media and digital narratives around IRC UK priority issues.
●Oversee strategic media opportunities by commissioning, writing, editing and disseminating messaging for multi-channel use includingpress-releases, op-eds, statements, web and social content to secure coverage of the IRC in the UK across print, broadcast and online media.
●Work with global communications colleagues and country office staff to create strong, persuasive and impactful outputs, and to arrange interviews and media visits to frontline work.
●Act as a spokesperson for the organization in the media as needed.
●Liaise closely with Fundraising teams to collaborate on timely messaging, client-centered storytelling, digital outputs, and media coverage to bring in donations to the IRC during emergencies and other fundraising appeals.
●Manage the communications component of IRC UK’s relationship with the DEC and lead communications on DEC appeals.
●Use expert judgment to ensure the IRC’s brand is protected and to develop and enact strategies to enhance IRC’s reputation, as well as ensure media outputs protect clients, staff and programming from harm.
●Ensure coordinated and topical messaging across media outreach and digital channels.
●Establish close relationships with press counterparts within statutory donor organizations that lead to opportunities to promote IRC in the media.
●Leverage IRC’s President and CEO, and UK Executive Director to grow our profile in the UK, through proposing and implementing op-eds, interviews and other media activities.
●Support, prepare and coach staff, spokespeople and board members for media interviews and visits; and provide guidance across the organisation to dealing with media.
●Build expertise on current and potential issues in the humanitarian NGO arena via research and monitoring of national media and competitors and in liaison with global colleagues.
●Work with the global media colleagues to ensure that IRC has a system for managing media enquiries at all times, as needed.
●Responsible for reporting to the IRCUK board, subcommittees and Executive Director on press activity, trends and upcoming opportunities.
●Responsibility for the budget oversight, tracking & administration as well as ensuring adherence to financial processes
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Experience
●**Track record in creating, driving and evaluating a 360-degree communications and marketing strategy that focuses on media, digital and enabling income.**
●**Experience leading and managing media and digital teams.**
●Experience navigating and influencing within large matrixed organizations.
●Extensive experience of developing key messages and implementing media strategies with an international, and ideally humanitarian or development focus.
●**Experience of conducting media relations and communications opportunities in developing countries and sensitive contexts.
●Experience of organising international media visits to projects in order to facilitate reporting on key issues.**
●**Experience responding to reputational threats.**
●**Experience leading a digital communications team that delivers breakthrough digital content
●Experience/knowledge of tools for monitoring media coverage and digital results.**
●Experience of dealing with media enquiries into crisis and sensitive issues.
●Experience of acting as a spokesperson for an organisation.
●Experience managing a budget, ensuring timely payment and adherence to finance protocol
Skills and Knowledge
●Creative thinker who can identify opportunities and collaborate internally to produce external products that cut through media and digital and meet strategic IRC UK objectives.
●Strong communication and interpersonal skills: ability to communicate effectively with colleagues both in the UK and overseas and manage working relationships diplomatically.
●Excellent eye to detail and commitment to high speed and high quality writing and editing
●Strong understanding of marketing and how communications intersect with income generation, and influencing
●Strong organisational and time management skills: ability to prioritise team’s work, and multi-task in a fast-paced work setting.
●Good knowledge of UK and international media landscape and news cycle
●Good instinct for digital marketing and digital environment
●Good contacts with key UK journalists and media outlets, and knowledge and ability to develop relationships quickly.
●Excellent writing, editing and proofreading skills; adept at writing clean, engaging, jargon-free copy for a range of channels.
●Ability to represent IRC-UK and the wider IRC professionally and appropriately at all times.
●Knowledge/interest in international affairs, particularly of conflict and humanitarian crises and issues.
●Knowledge of key political debates in the UK around international development and aid.
●Flexibility as regards working hours, as the need arises.
●Willingness to travel occasionally to conflict areas.
●Fluency in English, spoken and written.
We’re on the lookout for a Senior Internal Communications & Engagement Officer who can hit the ground running in our fast-paced team for a 12 month fixed term contract. This role is all about supporting and coordinating the delivery of engaging and timely communications for both our colleagues and members. You’ll be responsible for managing a variety of content across multiple channels, from the staff intranet to email publications. This is an opportunity to truly make an impact by ensuring our internal messages are clear, on-brand, and reach the right audience.
Come and be part of the leading Armed Forces charity, making a difference to the lives of those who have served to keep us safe and protect our way of life.
You’ll be working closely with our Internal Communications and Engagement team to gather, write, and edit content that resonates with both staff and members. Whether it’s contributing to our regular publications, helping to produce content for events like our Town Halls, or maintaining our intranet and digital platforms, your role will be fundamental in keeping everyone informed and connected. You'll also have the chance to get involved in producing posters and digital screens, all while ensuring a seamless experience for our internal audiences.
A key part of your role will involve measuring the effectiveness of our communications efforts. You'll be tasked with gathering feedback and providing reports to help refine our approach and ensure that our channels are always working to their full potential. Plus, you’ll help manage our internal communications inboxes, responding to queries and requests from across the organisation with a keen eye for detail and a proactive attitude. If you enjoy a bit of variety, this role will certainly keep you busy with different ad hoc projects and support for internal events as well.
Our ideal candidate is someone with a background in internal communications, ideally with experience in intranet or web publishing systems. If you’ve worked in the charity sector, that’s a bonus. You’ll need to have excellent written communication skills, be a whizz at managing your time, and bring a flexible approach to the role. Above all, we need someone who’s enthusiastic about creating great content and keeping everyone informed in a way that feels fresh and engaging. If you’re looking for your next challenge, we’d love to hear from you.
You will be contracted to our London Hub, Haig House. Under our Future Working framework, there will be some flexibility for working remotely/at home, using our collaboration tools to work with colleagues, but with a minimum expectation of two days/week connecting directly face-to-face with colleagues at the hub.
Employee benefits include -
- 28 day’s paid holiday (plus bank holidays) increasing with service, with optional annual leave purchase scheme of up to 5 working days
- Generous pension contributions, with Employer contributions ranging from 6% to 14%
- Range of flexible working options may be available, depending on your role
- Employee Assistance Programme providing confidential counselling, financial and legal advice
- Range of courses delivered by learning specialists to support your development goals and objectives
- Opportunities to volunteer
- Travel loans, Cycle to Work, and more!
For more detailed information about the role, please see our Vacancy Information Pack attached to our direct advert.
RBL is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive organisation, reflecting the diversity of the armed forces community and of wider society. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and personal characteristics.
Interview Dates: Tuesday 19th August 2025, at our HQ, Haig House.
Preferably, we’re looking for someone who can start as soon as possible, so please include your availability in your application.
We may close this vacancy early if we believe we have enough strong applications to be able to successfully fill the role(s). Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
If you are an internal applicant applying for this secondment, please ensure you have discussed it with your line manager and obtained their approval.
Job Title: Food Education Network Director
Position Type: Paid/Part time
Reports to: Food Education Network Steering Group
Salary: £44,000 FTE equating to £26,400 pro rated
Location: School Food Matters, London TW9 2RD (minimum one day a week in office)
Working Hours: Three days per week
Holiday: 19 days including bank holidays that fall on working days
Pension: School Food Matters matches pension contributions at 7% of pensionable earnings
Contract: Fixed term for one year to be extended with successful fundraising
Background
The Food Education Network (FEN) began in 2020 as a coalition of organisations passionate about improving food education in schools and other settings to influence recommendations for the National Food Strategy.
School Food Matters is now looking for an experienced and passionate leader with skills in advocacy and communications to lead the future development of the Food Education Network and its next stage of influencing government policy around food education from early years into the secondary phase.
Main Responsibilities
The Director will build on the foundations already laid to establish the Food Education Network as a new member organisation to bring the sector together. This role will involve building close relationships with a wide range of external partners to ensure the Network is a credible voice on food education policy and is campaigning with its members to make change happen. The role will be split between governance of the network (40%) and influencing government policy (60%).
Principle Duties:
· Define and clearly present the top policy priorities around food education and take these to politicians, the media and wider world
· Build close relationships with key decision-makers to influence food education policy
· Raise awareness of food education within the educational community
· Support the steering committee to raise funds
· Grow and solidify the Food Education Network, setting out a one-year plan with clear objectives, purpose, operations and governance
· Continue to build the membership of the Network, reaching out to organisations in the food education sector who can help add to the Network’s voice and evidence
Ideal Candidate
· Can work confidently in a start-up role to grow an organisation almost from scratch
· Solid understanding of public affairs, policymaking, and communications
· Significant experience of working in advocacy at a senior level
· Proven ability to effectively influence a range of political stakeholders and communicate complex policy positions verbally and in writing
· Ability to bring together a range of stakeholders behind a shared strategy, matrix managing multi-disciplinary teams across organisations and managing differences of position and views
· Comfortable with managing multiple workstream, rapidly assessing the changing political environment and adapting strategies accordingly
· Genuine interest in championing food education.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
About the Role
This is an exciting new role which will help the Methodist Church in Britain to embed in the life of churches its commitment to be justice-seeking.
In 2024, the Church adopted a Strategy to embed the Methodist Conference’s Justice-Seeking Church Report in local churches, across the Connexional Team and throughout the life of Methodism.
The Justice-Seeking Church Officer will shape and develop this work across all levels of the Church in creative and innovative ways, identifying opportunities and responding to challenges. They will strengthen leadership for justice across churches, and enable collaboration across programmes and issues. They will enable theological reflection and will lead on shaping the vital emerging work around participation of people with lived experience of poverty.
You will be a member of the Justice Team but work collaboratively with many others. You will also be part of the wider Mission Team, playing a key role in the implementing its strategy in response to Our Calling and the Methodist Way of Life.
In this post, you will focus on the following priorities:
- Developing and embedding key areas of the Justice-Seeking Church strategy in churches and the Methodist Connexional Team
- Strengthening leadership in social justice and social action
- Developing opportunities for faith formation and theological engagement
- Developing new work around the leadership and participation of people with lived experience of poverty
About You
The ideal candidate will need the following:
- Experience in building influence and motivating wide a range of people and groups
- Effective and strategic communication skills
- Experience of enabling people to reflect theologically on justice issues
- Knowledge of and a passion for justice
This post carries an occupational requirement for the post holder to be a Christian (in accordance with the Equality Act 2010).
Should you require further information or wish to discuss this role informally, please contact: Rachel Lampard after 11 August (contact details on website).
Our Culture, Values and Benefits
Thank you for considering joining our inclusive and welcoming team that strives for excellence and values employee wellbeing.
We value and support all those who join our team through a positive work-life balance augmented by generous annual leave (plus an extra 3 days over Christmas/New Year), TOIL, flexi-leave and an on-site Wellbeing Adviser service. We offer a generous occupational pension scheme, where the Methodist Church will pay double the employee contribution up to a maximum of 16% employer contribution.
The Methodist Church is an inclusive and supportive employer. We are actively committed to encouraging applications from people of all backgrounds. We welcome applications from people of Black, Asian and other Minority Ethnic groups. We also welcome applications from people living with disabilities.
Location: This is a hybrid position, with an average minimum of 2-3 days based in our London office, working remotely from your home, and some travel around Britain. You should live within commuting distance of our London Office.
Hybrid Working: Connexional Team staff based at Methodist Church House have a hybrid work pattern which is currently 2-3 days in the office, and the remaining days remote.
If you have questions about the vacancy or require reasonable adjustments to be made at any stage of the recruitment process, please email HR (details on website).
Please click apply to be redirected to our website.
Closing Date: 27 August 2025
Interview Date: 15 September 2025 in central London
The calling of the Methodist Church is to respond to the gospel of God's love in Christ and to live out its discipleship in worship and mission.

Be the spark that connects and uplifts multi-faith chaplaincy work across the UK for people leaving prison. Use your digital skills and people passion to make real impact.
This is more than just a job—it's a unique opportunity to support life-changing work in prisons and communities by encouraging, equipping and linking the amazing people delivering community chaplaincy. The Community Chaplaincy Association (CCA) brings together over 30 independent projects across the UK who support people leaving prison.
As our Encourager and Connector, you’ll build warm, supportive relationships with projects and chaplains, helping them feel seen, heard and empowered. You’ll also use your confident IT and communication skills to improve how we share stories, best practice and resources—whether it’s through a lively newsletter, a well-run Zoom gathering, or an engaging bit of social media.
You’ll work closely with our small but passionate team to spot opportunities, respond to needs, and ensure our members feel truly connected to a shared vision of restorative, faith-informed community.
Who we’re looking for:
A naturally warm and organised person with a heart for people, an understanding of faith-based work (including multi-faith contexts), and a real flair for using digital tools to make things happen. You don’t need to be a chaplain—but you do need to believe in the power of hope, second chances, and supportive relationships.
If you're looking for a flexible, meaningful role where your relational and digital skills can make a real difference, we'd love to hear from you.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
This is an exciting opportunity to shape a new senior role within our organisation. The Interim Head of Research and Campaigns will lead our Research function and advocacy efforts, ensuring that evidence-based insights drive our campaigns, policy work, and public engagement.
Recently kicking off our new ‘Creating Positive Change Together’ strategy, coproduced by over 130 staff, volunteers, clients and partners, Groundswell has ambitious plans around influencing more change and amplifying voices to promote healthier lives and a better future for anyone who has experienced homelessness. This role directly aligns with these strategic plans, to refine and use innovative participatory research centring lived experience, share and amplify insight from people with experience of homelessness, and increase our campaigning activities to change systems and break down the barriers that stand in people’s way to a healthier life and more hopeful future.
This role has been created on an interim basis to assess its impact and effectiveness, with a key focus on reviewing the priorities, progression and support of our Research Team and making recommendations for the future regarding this new role. The role will sit within the wider Participation, Progression and Creating Change team.
We anticipate that some form of Head of Research & Campaigning role will continue beyond this 12-month period, and this interim position will very much shape and inform that longer term role.