Strategic design lead jobs in Manchester

Location: London, UK, Remote.

Closing date for applications: 25th March 2026

Contract status: Global post, full-time

Start date: Late May - Early June 2026

Contract duration: 1.5 years fixed-term contract

Remuneration: £48,043 - £56,000 gross per annum (UK national band); £53,461 - £63,000 gross per annum (London, UK)

We rebuild tropical fisheries with coastal communities

Blue Ventures is a marine conservation organization that puts people first. We support coastal fishers in remote and rural communities to rebuild fisheries, restore ocean life and build lasting pathways to prosperity. Our work began two decades ago in Madagascar’s remote coastal communities and is growing globally. 

Across a dozen countries, we’re partnering with traditional fishers and community organizations to design, scale, strengthen and sustain fisheries management and conservation at the community level. We bring partners together in networks to advocate for reform, and share tools and best practices to support fishing communities across the globe.

Summary job description

The Senior Financial Accountant is a key member of Blue Ventures’ global finance team, responsible for supporting the delivery of accurate, timely, and Charity SORP-compliant financial accounting across our international operations. Reporting to the Head of Financial Accounting, this fixed-term role will play a hands-on part in month-end and year-end close, consolidation, balance sheet integrity, and statutory accounts preparation, ensuring high-quality financial reporting across multiple entities and jurisdictions.

As maternity cover for an 18-month period starting in May 2026 (early June at the latest), the postholder will provide continuity and operational stability within the accounting function. The role requires strong technical accounting capability, attention to detail, and the ability to work collaboratively with country finance teams in a globally distributed environment, helping to maintain robust financial controls and audit readiness in support of Blue Ventures’ mission.

About the role

We are looking for an experienced communications professional to drive and deliver our global communications strategy and maintain momentum across our target regions during a period of parental leave. This is an exciting role for someone who is passionate about improving global health and climate outcomes, enjoys activating a diverse range of stakeholders to achieve communications objectives and can support and motivate colleagues to deliver impactful work across different time zones.

Selection criteria

Essential:

• Experience designing and implementing successful communications strategies  that support the delivery of positive social, corporate or political change. We imagine the ideal candidate will have at least 8 years of experience, but we are open to consider candidates with less experience who possess the required skills. 

• A high level of strategic thinking and an understanding of how to leverage different campaigning approaches to achieve objectives, including community organising and knowledge brokering

• The ability to translate complex information into clear, compelling and nuanced messaging 

• A proven track record of crafting and landing compelling stories in high-impact media that advance campaign objectives

• Existing relationships with journalists in at least one relevant media area, such as news, health, sustainability or food

• Experience managing communications teams in a collaborative and effective way, and a willingness to support colleagues from other teams to develop relevant skills

• A general understanding of building decarbonisation and the energy transition

• Fluency in English

• The right to work in the country you live in (please note we are not able to offer sponsorship for a business visa or work permit at this time)

Desirable:

• Knowledge of Spanish and/or French

• A passion for food and cooking cultures

What we offer

• A role in which you can have a tangible impact on global health and climate outcomes

• The chance to join a supportive and inclusive team that combines their determination to improve health and climate outcomes with a rigorous and results-oriented approach to work

• A flexible and supportive work environment 

• A diverse network of influential stakeholders in multiple countries

• Competitive remuneration for the not-for-profit sector

Key responsibilities 

Strategy

• Deliver the existing global communications strategy, adapting where necessary in line with organisational priorities during the cover period, and develop associated implementation plans 

• Participate in broader campaign and organisational strategy development, contributing perspectives on the role of communications 

Media

• Build and maintain relationships with key media contacts

• Select, brief and liaise with media spokespeople 

• Develop key media messaging and oversee the development of pitch content 

• Lead on media liaison for both reactive and proactive opportunities

Knowledge brokering

• Coordinate the development and promotion of knowledge products, including case studies, research reports and toolkits

Management

• Hire and manage contractors and agencies as necessary for the implementation of the communications strategy

• Manage the Digital Communications Manager, and lead on the recruitment and management of any other communications professionals required as the GCC grows

Coordination

• Coordinate with the wider team and coalition stakeholders to oversee the implementation of the communications strategy and to continuously refine it to reflect new opportunities and challenges 

Reporting

• Oversee the global communications budget forecasting 

• Contribute to internal and external reporting of the GCC’s communications activities

How to apply

Your cover letter should be no longer than two pages and it should outline why you are interested in this role and how you fit the selection criteria.

Please indicate ‘Head of Communications (parental leave cover)’ in the subject line.

Applications close Monday 30th March 2026.   

We are committed to diversity and inclusion in our organisation. We strongly encourage candidates from historically disadvantaged or marginalised groups to apply.

This role covers postcodes KT, GU, SO, PO, BH.

Applicants must live in the region or a short commutable distance to cover the region. 

Mary’s Meals is a global movement supported by people from all walks of life and we are focused on one goal – that every child receives a nutritious daily meal in a place of education. We offer more than just a career, we offer the opportunity to support our global movement in a dynamic and inclusive environment with a real focus on personal development.

We are looking for a Regional Development Officer for South Coast, London. In this role, covering postcodes KT, GU, SO, PO, BH, you will be a warm, visible ambassador for Mary’s Meals – igniting enthusiasm, inspiring action, and helping people across your region join our mission and help feed more children.

By building genuine, values‑driven relationships and using insight to guide your priorities, you’ll nurture local networks, identify high‑potential opportunities, and confidently grow income, participation, and supporter engagement. Through strategic, outward‑facing work, you’ll turn first conversations into committed, long‑term support that strengthens our movement and fuels our mission.

Working closely with the London and South East Lead, you will co-create and deliver a tailored local growth plan that reflects your region's communities and opportunities. You will represent Mary’s Meals across schools, churches, corporates and community partners and play a pivotal role in activating supporters, mobilising volunteers, and sharing compelling local stories.​

Operating with high autonomy, you will use insights and data to focus on high potential and growth areas, and collaborate closely with our Philanthropy & Partnerships, Supporter Experience and Communications teams to deliver seamless supporter journeys and strong storytelling. Everything you do will reflect Mary’s Meals’ warmth and dignity, helping us reach more children through relationship-led growth.

Key responsibilities include

• Work with the London and South East Lead to design and deliver a clear, insight‑driven local growth plan with defined priorities, income drivers, volunteer mobilisation efforts, and visibility activities.​

• Use data, local insight, and regional understanding to focus your time where growth potential is strongest.​​

• Balance relationship‑building with a proactive, opportunity-led approach, identifying new supporters, networks, and partnerships and developing them from prospective supporters into committed donors.

• To create the conditions for a volunteer Deputy and a motivated volunteer network to confidently lead talks, events, introductions and other activities that broaden our reach.​

• Empower volunteers through clear delegation, coaching, and recognition, ensuring they feel confident and aligned with Mary’s Meals’ mission and values.​

• Inspire and back volunteers to own the mission. Spot people with energy and networks, invite their ideas, give light-touch support and tools, and celebrate their impact so they bring others into our movement.

• Represent Mary’s Meals throughout your region with confidence and authenticity, engaging schools, parishes, community groups, businesses, and local networks.​

• Deliver talks, small events, parish visits, school assemblies, partner meetings, local networking engagements, and other targeted activities that grow income, participation, and visibility.​

• Make confident, values-led asks that move supporters from interest to action across giving, volunteering, and awareness raising.​

• Actively network across your region to identify new prospects, initiate first meetings, and follow up quickly and purposefully.​

• Collaborate closely with the Philanthropy & Partnerships team on key opportunities and ensuring the donor is at the heart of each stewardship decision.​

• Build a diverse pipeline of leads, opportunities, and partnerships reflective of your regions communities and faith landscape.

• Work closely across the organisation to ensure your regional activity feels seamless and aligned, collaborating with Supporter Experience so that journeys, thanking and stewardship feel warm and timely; with Creative Communications to deliver compelling local storytelling; with Philanthropy & Partnerships to coordinate opportunities for major donors and corporates; and with the Volunteer Manager to strengthen mobilisation and development across your region.

• Proactively translate and tailor national messages and campaigns for regional audiences using templates, supporter stories, and local successes.​

• Spot and share regional stories, images, results, and moments of advocacy to enhance national storytelling.​

• Strengthen local visibility by cultivating community connectors and being confident in supporting and delivering appropriate local media engagement in coordination with Comms colleagues.

To apply for the role of Regional Development Officer based at Mary’s Meals UK, please follow instructions on the Charity Job website.

Applicants must hold full right to work in the UK and be based in or within short commutable distance of the region covered in the role. ​

We welcome applications from candidates of all different backgrounds and identities to apply. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse charity providing a supportive place for you to do the best and most rewarding work of your career.

Closing date for application is Thursday, 26 March at 5pm.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.​ Interviews will commence week beginning 30 March. 

Please note: If you have any special requirements or adjustments before an interview, please let us know. 

This role is remote however we require someone to be based in or a short commutable distance to cover the region.

Mary’s Meals is a global movement supported by people from all walks of life and we are focused on one goal – that every child receives a nutritious daily meal in a place of education. We offer more than just a career, we offer the opportunity to support our global movement in a dynamic and inclusive environment with a real focus on personal development.

We are looking for an enthusiastic Regional Development Officer for North East Scotland. A recent reshaping of our Regional teams means this role will sit under our newly appointed Head of Scotland and be part of an exciting new chapter in Mary's Meal UK's fundraising vision.

You will be a warm, visible ambassador for Mary’s Meals – igniting enthusiasm, inspiring action, and helping people across your region join our mission and help feed more children. By building genuine, values‑driven relationships and using insight to guide your priorities, you’ll nurture local networks, identify high‑potential opportunities, and confidently grow income, participation, and supporter engagement. Through strategic, outward‑facing work, you’ll turn first conversations into committed, long‑term support that strengthens our movement and fuels our mission.​

Working closely with the Head of Scotland, you will co-create and deliver a tailored local growth plan that reflects your region's communities and opportunities. You will represent Mary’s Meals across schools, churches, corporates and community partners and play a pivotal role in activating supporters, mobilising volunteers, and sharing compelling local stories.​

Operating with high autonomy, you will use insights and data to focus on high potential and growth areas, and collaborate closely with our Philanthropy & Partnerships, Supporter Experience and Communications teams to deliver seamless supporter journeys and strong storytelling. Everything you do will reflect Mary’s Meals’ warmth and dignity, helping us reach more children through relationship-led growth.

Key responsibilities include

• Work with the Head of Scotland to design and deliver a clear, insight‑driven local growth plan with defined priorities, income drivers, volunteer mobilisation efforts, and visibility activities.​

• Use data, local insight, and (Region-specific) understanding to focus your time where growth potential is strongest.​

• Balance relationship‑building with a proactive, opportunity-led approach, identifying new supporters, networks, and partnerships and developing them from prospective supporters into committed donors.

• To create the conditions for a volunteer Deputy and a motivated volunteer network to confidently lead talks, events, introductions and other activities that broaden our reach​

• Empower volunteers through clear delegation, coaching, and recognition, ensuring they feel confident and aligned with Mary’s Meals’ mission and values.​​

• Inspire and back volunteers to own the mission. Spot people with energy and networks, invite their ideas, give light-touch support and tools, and celebrate their impact so they bring others into our movement.

• Represent Mary’s Meals throughout your region with confidence and authenticity, engaging schools, parishes, community groups, businesses, and local networks.​

• Deliver talks, small events, parish visits, school assemblies, partner meetings, local networking engagements, and other targeted activities that grow income, participation, and visibility.​​

• Make confident, values-led asks that move supporters from interest to action across giving, volunteering, and awareness raising.​

• Actively network across your region to identify new prospects, initiate first meetings, and follow up quickly and purposefully.​​

• Collaborate closely with the Philanthropy & Partnerships team on key opportunities and ensuring the donor is at the heart of each stewardship decision.​​

• Build a diverse pipeline of leads, opportunities, and partnerships reflective of your regions communities and faith landscape.

• Work closely across the organisation to ensure your regional activity feels seamless and aligned, collaborating with Supporter Experience so that journeys, thanking and stewardship feel warm and timely; with Creative Communications to deliver compelling local storytelling; with Philanthropy & Partnerships to coordinate opportunities for major donors and corporates; and with the Volunteer Manager to strengthen mobilisation and development across your region.

To apply for the role of Regional Development Officer (0.6 FTE) based at Mary’s Meals UK, please follow instructions on the Charity Job website.

Applicants must hold full right to work in the UK and be based in the North East of Scotland.​

We welcome applications from candidates of all different backgrounds and identities to apply. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse charity providing a supportive place for you to do the best and most rewarding work of your career.

Closing date for applications is Wednesday, 25 March 2026.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible. 

Interviews will commence week of 30 March. If you have any special requirements or adjustments before an interview, please let us know.