33 Strategic design lead jobs in Manchester

Join our team as Head of Communications! 

• Location: Remote within the countries where WeMove Europe is registered to work (UK, France, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, Poland)

• Preferred Start Date: January 2027

• Application Deadline: September 24 2026

• Employment type: Permanent contract

WeMove Europe is a community of people united by a vision of a better Europe. We run campaigns that empower citizens to take action and influence decision-makers at the European level.

We’re looking for a Head of Communications who will combine communications expertise and an innovative approach to storytelling to engage hundreds of thousands of Europeans in meaningful action. This role reports to the Campaigns Director and has line management responsibilities. 

You’ll work closely with our campaigns team and a social media manager to adapt and enhance campaigns through media, partnerships and content. This role works across multiple channels. You don’t need to be a tactical expert in all of them, but you need to be a strong strategic thinker who can carefully consider the role of each channel and asset. You will be as comfortable setting the strategic direction as you are delivering: pitching a story, briefing a journalist, running influencer outreach.

What you’ll do:

• Advise on and support the development of our campaigns by creating and inputting into campaign narratives and communications plans

• Work alongside campaigners and social media manager to oversee and/or produce complementary content that builds pressure on the target: reactive posts, video, and assets timed to campaign moments

• Liaise with media contacts and external agencies to find appropriate opportunities to amplify our campaigns across European and national media

• Build partnerships with influencers, creators, and independent activists to enhance the power and impact of our campaigns 

• Support the campaigns team to strengthen their storytelling skills and identify compelling storytelling opportunities in their partnerships, such as media hooks

• Build and sustain contact with journalists, produce press releases and briefings, keep our media database accurate and current across our priority countries

• Oversee and refresh our social media presence, line managing and coaching a social media manager. 

• Stay close to the news cycle and to what is working on social in order to identify moments that put our campaign in front of the people we need to move

• Contribute to defining the success measures for communications, including social media KPIs, and oversee activity to meet them 

• Advise senior leadership on communications and reputational considerations, including crisis communications approach

• Ensure consistency of messaging and tone across all public communications.

• The WeMove Europe team works in a culture of togetherness and passion for our issues and determination to win, so from time to time, you will be expected to perform activities outside of your normal role.

Who we’re looking for:

Essential skills:

• Storytelling: You can translate complex policy or campaign issues into compelling stories for different audiences, and generate creative news angles from unlikely material or challenging subject matter. You can write inspiring, clear, and impactful copy in English.

• Delivery: You have experience in at least one of the following areas:

  • Media relations: Securing proactive and impactful media coverage which influenced policy or moved the needle - in other words, which has had an impact beyond raising profile or raising awareness. 

  • Influencer partnerships: Building relationships and impactful collaborations with influencers, content creators or other content partners. 

  • Content creation: Producing social media content which mobilised people to take action. 

• Audiences: You have experience of engaging new audiences through communications channels, and you are able to use audience insights to influence your approach.

• Analysis: You are data-driven and results-oriented, eager to test, learn, and continuously improve your content and communications. 

• Collaboration: You thrive in collaborative, international teams, eager to learn from colleagues and share your own expertise.

• Coaching and training: You can design and deliver practical training that changes how colleagues work, not just how much they know, and you enjoy building capability in others rather than holding it yourself.

Important criteria: 

• Values: You are deeply committed to systemic change in Europe, aligned with values of solidarity, sustainability, justice, and democracy. You are passionate about empowering people to realize their own power and become agents of change.

• Languages: You are fluent in English 

• Travel: You are willing to travel within Europe when needed (at least 3 times a year)

• Experience level: You should have five years of relevant experience for this post. 

Nice to have 

• You are familiar with a digital-first campaigns model, though you don’t necessarily need to have worked in this context before. 

• Have recent experience of using video to tell complex stories and reach new audiences.

• You don’t have to have line management experience, but it could be beneficial. 

• Knowledge of the Brussels press landscape alongside national media

• Other European languages are an added benefit.

Why us?

WeMove Europe is an independent and values-based organisation that seeks to build people power to transform Europe in the name of our community, future generations and the planet. We are people from all walks of life, who call Europe our home – whether we were born in Europe or elsewhere.

Our job is to move a community of almost a million people across Europe on issues that matter - including the climate emergency, migrant rights, workers rights, better governance, and more. We know this number of people also needs to grow and diversify further so we can represent a strong critical mass that can bring about change in Europe.

We are...

• A remote-first team working across borders and time zones

• Driven by an urgent, ambitious mission with people at its heart

• Innovating the next generation of tools for people-powered campaigning

• Committed to a culture of trust, collaboration, and impact over ego

• A place where your voice counts and your work drives real change

What we offer:

• Working hours: Full time (5 days a week) or part time optional, (4 days a week, with a pro-rata salary adjustment.)

• Contract type: Permanent 

• Location: Remote within countries where WeMove Europe is registered to work 

• Salary ranges: Gross year salary per country, depending on experience level and location. The ranges below are indicative, and based on at least 5+ years of relevant experience. These salary ranges are estimates indexed to local living costs. Final calculations are based on city cost of living indexes and can differ slightly depending on your location

  • Netherlands, UK: 62,000 - 65,000 EUR (Amsterdam, London range 12% higher)

  • Belgium, Germany, France: 53,000 - 56,000 EUR (Brussels, Berlin range 7% higher; Paris ranges 12% higher )

  • Italy: 47,000 - 50,000 EUR (Rome ranges 87% higher)

  • Spain: 44,000 - 47,000 EUR (Madrid ranges 10% higher) 

  • Poland: 39,000 - 42,000 EUR (Warsaw ranges 10% higher)

• Benefits: home office set up and co-working space of your choice, 30 vacation days, training, professional development, regular team calls, full week retreat in person with the whole team, and much more…!

We are committed to being a diverse and inclusive workplace which is why people from communities that experience discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity; women; people with disabilities; and LGBTQ+ people are especially encouraged to apply.

Next steps

If you are interested in this position, please send an application in English and include:

• Motivation letter.

• CV

• Work sample: share an example of a communications tactic you have used to achieve impact such as political change or response from a target (1 A4 page)

Our recruitment process involves the following stages:

• Evaluation of written applications

• 2 rounds of interviews 

• Final decision

**Applications in languages other than English will not be processed. Applications from people who are based outside of the countries where WeMove Europe operates will not be considered**