Strategic communications manager jobs in Manchester

Do you believe every young person should have the opportunity to thrive, and want to help connect supporters with the chance to make that a reality?
 

Manchester Youth Zone is looking for a skilled, relationship-driven Philanthropy and Corporate Partnerships Lead to help grow and nurture a community of major donors and corporate supporters who play a vital role in breathing life into the charity's mission.
 

Salary: £39,318 to £42,672 FTE
Location: Manchester, with some homeworking (3 days onsite FTE)
Contract: 12-months with potential to extend, 40 hours per week FTE, with flexibility for reduced hours (minimum 3 days per week)
Benefits: 33 days annual leave, pro rata, an additional day off for your birthday, 5% employer pension contribution, access to an Employee Assistance Programme, onsite gym and sports facilities
 

About the charity
 

Located in Harpurhey (one of Manchester's most economically deprived areas), Manchester Youth Zone is an established independent charity dedicated to providing young people with somewhere to go, something to do and someone to talk to.
 

They support young people aged 8 to 19, and up to 25 for those with additional needs, offering high quality youth work, mentoring and targeted support during evenings and weekends. Their purpose is to create passion, purpose and pathways for every young person who walks through their doors.

About the role
 

Major donors have always been central to the youth zone's story. You will manage a portfolio worth over £1 million, nurturing and uplifting valued supporters, as well as securing new five and six-figure gifts.
 

You will create thoughtful, personalised donor journeys and steward significant relationships that lead to long-term, multi-year commitments.
 

This is an exciting opportunity for someone proactive and relationship-led, with the confidence to build trust quickly. Working closely with the Interim Chief Executive, Trustees and senior volunteers during a period of leadership transition, you will open doors, strengthen partnerships and bring the impact of the youth zone's work to life for donors.
 

There is a very real and significant opportunity for growth and development in this role, for the right candidate.

About You
 

You bring a strong track record of securing five-figure, multi-year gifts from either businesses or high-net-worth individuals, along with experience building and converting high-value pipelines.
 

An excellent communicator, you are confident making senior-level, face-to-face asks and developing compelling cases for support.
 

Strategic, organised and calm under pressure, you can manage competing priorities with ease, always maintaining accuracy and care.
 

You are moved and motivated by the opportunity to improve young people's lives and driven to deliver outstanding results.
 

How to Apply
 

Please send a copy of your profile or CV to Amelia Lee at Charity People, as the first step.
 

If your experience matches what we're looking for, we'll be in touch with further information on how to make your formal application.
 

Deadline: Only because this role has been advertised previously, we'll be accepting applications on a rolling basis. If you feel this disadvantages you in any way, reach out to Amelia Lee at Charity People and she'll ensure you don't miss out.

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.

Job Title: Programme Lead

Reporting to: Senior Programme Lead

Location: North West

Salary: £23,500

Contract: Permanent, term-time only, full-time

Annual Leave: 50 days paid holiday each year which must be taken during school holiday

“The facilitator is a friend and teacher mixed into one… she gets the reasoning from the teacher and the understanding bit from the friend.” - Power2 Rediscover Young Person

Power2 is a fast growing and energetic children and young people's charity that has supported 27,000 young people since 2001. We are based in the North West of England and London and deliver early-intervention asset-based programmes to children and young people who have mental wellbeing challenges and are disengaged from school and more widely. We are well-known for our accredited Teens and Toddlers programme and are supporting young people via Power2 Rediscover, an intensive 1:1 crisis response programme.

With our support, children and young people who are experiencing vulnerabilities and disadvantages improve their wellbeing, re-engage with school and learning, build networks and access opportunities.

We’re committed to equality and operate within a culture and structure that recognises diversity and strives to be fair. We live by our values of Brave, Expert and Passionate and we aim to have an entrepreneurial and flexible approach to work.

We are looking for new Programme Leads to deliver our programmes so that all children and young people, regardless of their needs, feel they belong and can prosper.

Our new Programme Leads will be trained to deliver all our programmes and will primarily work in schools to support young people, their families, and school staff to ensure that at-risk pupils make the most of their education and improve their life chances. Work will include 1:1 support based in a school or in the community and delivery of Power2’s group programmes. The successful candidates could be based in one school or travel between multiple schools.

The relationships you cultivate with the young people you work with are at the heart of our success – so recruiting the right people is paramount. Our facilitators work with significant autonomy and authority and must embrace responsibility and be accountable for their work. They work collaboratively alongside young people, operating as a mentor as they empower young people to develop self-esteem, become resilient and engage with school and their own future. They give each young person the time, the confidence and skills to engage with their education and their future life plans.

Successful applicants will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS check (child workforce) and provide details of two referees.

Candidates are encouraged to apply even if your experience doesn’t precisely match the job description for this role. Your experience, skills and passion will set you apart so tell us your achievements, irrespective of whether they are personal or work-related and how this has shaped you, including things you’ve learnt along the way.

We are specifically interested to hear from applicants who have lived experience of the issues we seek to address (childhood experience of having low family income, being disengaged with school and learning, experiencing poor wellbeing/mental health, being care-experienced, involved in gangs and violence). It is also important to us that the people we hire do not discriminate. We believe in being inclusive and giving everyone an equal chance to succeed. Applications are welcome from all regardless of age, sex, gender identity, disability, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief, race, sexual orientation, transgender status or social economic background.

Please apply online with a CV and a personal statement. In your personal statement please describe how your skills and experience match the role description and provide your notice period. Your CV and personal statement are submitted on the second page of the application process. Applications without a personal statement will not be considered.

Diversity, Equality and Inclusion

Power2 strives to be a diverse and inclusive place where we can ALL be ourselves. We are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships. We work to ensure that our recruitment process is as inclusive as possible and encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply. If we can make the application process more accessible to you, please let us know.

Safeguarding

Power2 is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates will be required to have an enhanced DBS certificate (child workforce) in place. We may undertake an online search if you are shortlisted.

About The Role
At Alzheimer’s Society, we are advisors, supporters, fundraisers, researchers, influencers, communicators, and technical specialists. We are volunteers and colleagues. Together, we make a real difference in the lives of people living with dementia and their families.
We are looking for a Special Events Officer to join our team. You will help plan, deliver, and evaluate events that bring people together, inspire action, and create lasting impact. You will work closely with colleagues, volunteers, and stakeholders to make sure every experience is welcoming, accessible, and inclusive.
This role balances hands-on event delivery with strategic input. You will help improve processes, share learning, and make sure events meet the diverse needs of everyone we serve. Flexibility, creativity, and excellent organisation are key.
Contract Type: 12-Month Fixed-Term Contract
Interviews for this position are scheduled to take place during the week commencing 20th April via MS Teams
What You’ll Do
You will coordinate and support events from start to finish. This includes planning, logistics, volunteer coordination, and on-the-day delivery. You will make sure events are welcoming, accessible, and inclusive. You will evaluate events using feedback and insight to improve future events.
You will work with colleagues, volunteers, and stakeholders to develop systems, processes, and relationships that support both day-to-day work and long-term goals. You will act as a trusted resource, sharing expertise with colleagues and volunteers. You will also represent Alzheimer’s Society at internal and external events in a professional and inclusive way.
About You

- You have experience supporting events that reach and connect with diverse audiences.
- You communicate clearly and confidently, building positive relationships with people at all levels.
- You can manage multiple projects under tight deadlines while keeping attention to detail.
- You have experience working with fundraising teams, including corporate partnerships, legacy, or philanthropy, or a strong interest in learning about these areas.
- You are solution-focused, collaborative, and supportive of colleagues.
- You are committed to inclusion and equity, making sure events and interactions respect the diversity of the communities we serve.
- You are eager to learn, share knowledge, and contribute to a welcoming and collaborative culture.

At Alzheimer’s Society, you will join a passionate, values-led team. You will have opportunities to grow, learn, and make a real difference. Your work will bring people together and positively impact the lives of people affected by dementia.

Our commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging

We need to ensure the voices around our table better reflect and understand the communities we exist to serve. We strongly encourage individuals to apply who have a disability, impairment or health condition or individuals who identify as Black, Asian or from another minority ethnic background, as these groups are currently under-represented at Alzheimer's Society.

We want everyone we work with, as a colleague, volunteer, supporter, or someone we support, to feel included and that they belong at Alzheimer's Society. 

Our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy here along with our internal employee forum and Employee Lived Experience network groups help us promote inclusion and belonging, becoming an engaged and inclusive organisation for all our people. 

Our hiring process

During your recruitment process we want to make sure that you bring your whole self and can be at your best. We are working hard to ensure our recruitment process is as inclusive as possible, so please do inform us of your experience and anything you think we could do better by completing our candidate survey when you apply.  Please also contact Alzheimer's Society Talent Acquisition Team for application support or any adjustments you might need.

To ensure fairness and consistency to select the best candidate for this role, all our applications are anonymised up until an interview has been confirmed. We recognise the benefits of AI, but if you're considering using it to submit your application, we encourage you to reflect on the value it truly adds. AI tools often lack the personal touch and authenticity that set candidates apart. We want to hear your unique perspective, experiences, and skills, so we encourage you to showcase them in your own voice.

We try to avoid closing roles early where possible, however if we receive a high volume of applications, we may close earlier than the advertised closing date. Should this occur, we will aim to provide you with at least 48 hours' notice.

We are committed to safer recruitment and ensuring the welfare of those we work with, due to the nature of some of our roles, we might need to carry out a Criminal Record Check at the relevant level. You can read more information via our Website.

Giving back to you

Our employees work hard every day to make a true difference in people's lives. We are proud to support them with a range of benefits, recognition and many options for working agilely, all contributing to a strong work life balance. We also have various learning programmes to support you in your development and help you grow to realise your potential and shape a career with Alzheimer's Society. 

You can also visit our Working for Us pages, which give you more information about what it's like to be an employee at the Society.