Strategic development officer jobs in Manchester

Location: UK – Open to remote arrangement (Only candidates who are eligible to work legally without work visa sponsorship in the UK will be considered.)

Contract Type: Part-time (0.5 FTE / 20 hours per week), Permanent contract

Hiring Salary: GBP 46,474 per annum (before taxes, to be pro-rated to 0.5 FTE)

Target Start Date: As soon as possible

Application Closing Date: 8 July 2026 23:59 BST

This job advert is for an existing vacancy.

About Right To Play:

For more than 25 years, Right To Play has been protecting, educating, and empowering millions of children each year to rise above adversity through the power of play.

We offer programs in 13 countries across Africa, Asia, the Middle East and North America, reaching millions of children each year in some of the most difficult places on earth, helping them to stay in school and learn, overcome prejudice, heal from trauma, and develop the skills they need to thrive. We do this by harnessing play, one of the most fundamental forces in a child's life, to teach children the critical skills they need to dismantle barriers and embrace opportunities, in learning and in life.

This work is supported by our two global offices in Toronto, Canada and London, UK; and seven National Offices in North America and Europe.

Right To Play UK is a charity registered in England and Wales and in Scotland that works in partnership with Right To Play International to raise funds and awareness across the UK and Ireland.

Benefits Highlights:

• Connect and collaborate with a global team who are passionate about protecting, educating and empowering children and youth using the power of play!
• Culture premised on our Culture Code (accept everyone, make things happen, display courage, demonstrate care, and be playful)
• Flexible work arrangements
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays per year (to be pro-rated for part-time employees)
• Competitive benefits such as Income Protection and Life Assurance
• Learning opportunities and 5 learning and development (L&D) days per year (to be pro-rated for part-time employees)
• More information on what we offer is available on our website.

Application Method:

Apply with your resume and cover letter in English via the application link.

Right To Play provides equal employment opportunities to employees regardless of their gender, race, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation or marital status. We strongly encourage groups who have been historically disadvantaged with respect to employment to apply for positions at Right To Play.

As part of our selection process, final candidates will be required to complete security checks and Vulnerable Sector Check or equivalent criminal record check as a condition of the offer. More details about our recruitment process are available here. Safeguarding information is available here.

As part of our recruitment and selection process, Right To Play uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) - assisted tools to support the assessment of candidates or applications. This may include but not limited to generating and editing of job adverts, assessment and interview questions, scheduling, translation, transcription, note taking, etc. Our Applicant Tracking System (ATS), VidCruiter, also use AI-powered ChatBot to answer candidates' enquiries. These tools are used only to assist human reviewers in evaluation and do not make selection or screening decisions. All hiring decisions are made by human reviewers. All AI-assisted processes comply with applicable privacy and data protection regulations, including GDPR and PIPEDA. For more information, please refer to RTP AI Policy and our Best Practice: Use of AI in Recruitment.

We value and promote a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We are committed to providing accommodations to candidates with disabilities during the recruitment and selection process, and thereafter. Please reach out to the People & Culture team by email. All information provided will be treated as confidential and used only to provide an accessible candidate experience.

Job Description:

Job Title:  Finance and Operations Manager

Grade: 7

Reports to: Executive Director, UK and Global Strategic Initiatives

Reports Technically to Director, Finance HQ

Location: UK (open to remote arrangement)

Direct Reports: NA

Department: Finance

1- Purpose:

The Finance and Operations Manager ensures the effective financial, administrative, and operational functioning of Right To Play UK and support the establishment of Right To Play Ireland by overseeing accurate financial records, coordinating people and legal processes, and continuously improving business systems and practices to support and enable successful fundraising outcomes.

2- Accountability & Responsibilities:

Finance (90%)

• Lead financial management, compliance, budgeting and reporting for Right To Play UK and Right To Play Ireland by ensuring accurate and timely recording of all expenses and revenue connected with the operation of the offices
•  Ensure revenue is appropriately captured and coded and reconciled with bank.
• Oversee liquidity/cashflow, procurement, payroll, audits, tax reporting, and external financial relationships
• Deliver reliable management and statutory reports to leadership, Boards, HQ, and authorities.
• Lead for staff payroll and benefits, HRIS data accuracy, payroll coordination, contracts, insurance and benefits administration, and employee records to ensure compliance, efficiency, and strong organisational support
• Supporting global finance in finance related initiatives, as needed
• Where applicable, ensure compliance on all governance requirements

Operations (10%)

• Direct office operations, administration, IT, and legal coordination by establishing efficient administrative processes, managing office infrastructure and IT security, coordinating vendors and service providers, monitoring licenses and compliance requirements, and supporting organisational risk management and legal obligations.

Perform other duties as assigned.

3-Scope (geographical and/or functional), Impact and Autonomy

The incumbent operates with significant autonomy, holding delegated authority over financial management, systems, and office operations, including safeguarding all funds received, and preparing supplier invoices for payment. They operate with high trust and independence and is expected to safeguard assets and ensure full statutory, fiscal, and HR data compliance.

4-Leadership and Staff management

The role exercises functional and collaborative leadership with no direct reports, providing guidance and influence across Right To Play UK and Right To Play Ireland. Leadership is demonstrated through setting standards and supporting teams to work effectively within organizational policies and financial controls, by providing authoritative guidance to the offices on financial policies, internal controls, and risk management; escalating material risks and recommending mitigation actions to the Executive Director and HQ Finance. The incumbent is expected to operate effectively in a low segregation environment due to small staff size by implementing and monitoring compensating controls (spot checks, reviews with Executive Director, exception reporting) to maintain strong control integrity.

5- Information requirement for decision-making

The incumbent requires secure access to accurate financial, donor, and operational data - primarily through the MCRM and ERP systems - which is already identified and readily available and applies established analysis and reporting methods as a super-user to interpret information, ensure compliance, protect confidential constituent records, and support informed financial and operational decision-making.

6- Innovation and Improvements

The incumbent is expected to drive process improvements and functional innovations within the offices—data integrity, financial tracking, and internal collaboration—while supporting others to implement these changes, with major or high-risk innovations subject to approval by the Executive Director.

7- Relationships & Communications: Internal / External:

The incumbent maintains key internal relationships with all team members, doner services team and HQ colleagues in MCRM, Finance, and People & Culture, and external relationships with Board members, and event partners, using effective communication and donor stewardship to support organizational objectives and ensure smooth operations.  The incumbent stewards Right To Play UK and Right To Play Ireland’s fiduciary obligations and is the primary authorized liaison with banks, landlords, insurance and payroll providers, external auditors, tax advisors, and legal counsel.

8- Expertise (Certifications / Education, Professional Experience/Language)

• Post-secondary diploma or undergraduate degree in accounting, business administration, Finance, or other related fields.
• Professional Accounting Designation preferred
• 5 years of progressive finance experience, including audit coordination, statutory filings, and external advisor management
• Adaptable with the aptitude to work well under pressure, and manage multiple competing and/or changing priorities
• Experience in navigating accounting, banking and payroll platforms
• A team player who is collaborative and innovative
• Excellent organizational skills; systematic in follow-through of tasks; diligent, with strong attention to detail
• Results-oriented with a willingness to learn and take initiative
• Demonstrates professionalism and integrity, with strong judgement skills and ability to exercise discretion and maintain confidentiality of sensitive information
• General knowledge of fundraising practices, procedures and standards preferred
• Fluency in oral and written English

9- Core Competences

• Collaboration: Demonstrates strong teamwork by effectively partnering with internal teams and external stakeholders to achieve shared objectives.
• Growth Mindset: Actively seeks opportunities to improve processes, learn new systems, and implement innovative solutions.
• Resilience: Maintains focus and effectiveness under pressure, managing multiple priorities and challenges with composure.
• Professionalism: Upholds high ethical standards, confidentiality, and accuracy in all financial, operational, and stakeholder interactions.
• Management and Interpersonal Skills: Guides and influences colleagues through expertise, clear communication, and support, despite having no direct reports.

10- Additional Information

Ability to work irregular hours depending on event and external meeting schedule. Occasional travel for attending internal and external meetings and supporting events.

• ​Job Title - Communications & Engagement Lead
• Responsible to - Chief Executive Officer
• Salary - £23,000 actual (based on £31,500 full time)
• Contract - Part-Time (28 hours per week) - From time to time, you may be required to work some evenings and weekends. These are usually communicated well in advance and the time will be given back to you in lieu. We expect team members to work in-person 60% of the time whether that’s at our office in MediaCity or at our delivery locations in Greater Manchester. This is a one-year fixed-term contract, with the likelihood of renewal subject to funding availability.

Important dates

• Applications to be received by 11pm on Sunday 5 July 2026 
• Video Screening to be complete by 11pm on Thursday 9 July 2026 
• Interviews held on Monday 20 and Tuesday 21 July 2026.

ABOUT YOUTH LEADS UK

Youth Leads UK is an award-winning charity that believes young people matter. We support young people furthest from opportunity to build skills, create change, and shape the decisions that affect their lives – from classrooms to communities to boardrooms. We run leadership programmes, deliver social action projects, and publish Youth Leads Magazine – a platform for youth voice and creativity.

Working with thousands of young people across Greater Manchester for over a decade, we are experts in enabling young people to step outside their comfort zones, build real-world skills and grow in confidence. We back young people to lead, in our programmes, in policy spaces and in shaping Britain's future.

Please see our website ‘About Us’ page for more information about our vision, mission and values.

WHY WORK WITH US?

At Youth Leads UK, we believe in creating an environment that helps you thrive both personally and professionally. We offer 30 days of annual leave (including bank holidays) and a part-closure over Christmas and New Year. Our wellbeing programme includes regular socials and time for mental health initiatives, and our base at MediaCity, one of Greater Manchester's most vibrant and sustainable locations, ensures a positive and connected working environment.

We are deeply committed to diversity, equality, and inclusion. That’s why we are a Living Wage Employer, signed up to the Greater Manchester Good Employer’s Charter, and the #ShowTheSalary campaign. It’s important to us that our staff team reflects the communities we serve. We guarantee interviews for our Youth Leads UK alumni, care experienced or disabled individuals, so please let us know in your application if you meet this criteria. We promote equal opportunities and we value the unique perspectives of diverse team members.

As a youth-led organisation, we prioritise employing individuals under 30, aligning with our mission to foster strong connections and relatability with the young people we support. This is in accordance with the Equality Act and reflects our belief in empowering young voices to shape our work. 
 

ROLE SUMMARY

This is the lead communications role at Youth Leads UK - the person who holds our voice, shapes our stories, and makes sure the world hears what our young people are doing and why it matters.

Working closely with the CEO and eventually supported by two Youth Content Creators, you will own the communications and engagement function across all channels and audiences. You will set the tone, maintain the brand, lead our campaigns, and ensure everything we put out reflects who we are and what we stand for.
 

WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING

Strategy and brand

• Own the Youth Leads UK communications strategy, ensuring our channels, campaigns, and content are coherent, consistent, and purposeful
• Act as the guardian of our brand — maintaining voice, tone, and visual identity across everything we produce
• Work closely with the CEO to align communications activity with organisational priorities and the Generation:NOW strategy
• Analyse performance across channels and use insight to inform what we do next

Campaigns and content

• Lead the development and delivery of youth-led campaigns on issues that matter to our communities - from mental health and civic participation to cost of living and representation
• Oversee the planning and production of Youth Leads Magazine - three editions per year, created by and for young people
• Lead on long-form and strategic content including press releases, impact reports, website articles, and stakeholder communications
• Set the brief for social media content and oversee delivery by the Youth Content Creators, ensuring quality, consistency, and brand alignment
• Manage email communications including newsletters and stakeholder updates

Developing young people

• Provide day-to-day communications direction to two Youth Content Creators — setting briefs, reviewing content, and ensuring brand consistency
• Actively mentor and develop the Youth Content Creators, helping them build skills, confidence, and understanding of professional communications practice. The youth content creators will be line managed by the Head of Programmes, who you will work closely with
• Champion youth voice across all communications output, ensuring young people are authentically represented and genuinely involved in how we tell our story

Media and public profile

• Build and maintain relationships with journalists, editors, and media contacts across local, regional, and national outlets
• Draft and issue press releases, media statements, and reactive comments
• Identify and pursue opportunities to place youth voice in public debate - through opinion pieces, broadcast appearances, panel contributions, and more
• Support the CEO and young people to prepare for media appearances and public-facing engagements

Communicating our impact

• Work with the wider team to translate programme outcomes, data, and young people’s stories into compelling content for a range of audiences
• Produce materials that communicate Youth Leads UK’s impact clearly and powerfully to partners, funders, and the public
• Ensure our digital presence - website, social channels, email - reflects the quality and ambition of our work

OTHER AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

• Ensure young people play a strong leadership role across our work
• Keep up to date on new developments and trends within the youth sector
• Administrative duties as required, such as minute-taking, arranging travel and booking venues
• Representing Youth Leads UK at conferences and events
• Act as an ambassador for the organisation
• Ensure Youth Leads UK’s Health and Safety and Safeguarding and any other appropriate policies are adhered to where necessary
• Take reasonable care of your own health and safety and that of others who might be affected by your work as required by law and described in the relevant operating policies and procedures
• Be committed to safeguarding principles and be willing to put the welfare of children and young people at the forefront of your work
• An understanding and belief in the inclusion of all staff, partners and young people irrespective of race, gender, sexuality, age, religion, ability, identity and experience
• Actively promotes and embeds an understanding of equality, diversity, and an inclusive culture
• Able to take personal accountability for key work areas

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REQUIRED

ESSENTIAL

• Strong writing skills - able to produce compelling content across formats, from social media captions to press releases to long-form articles
• Experience developing and delivering communications strategies or campaigns
• Solid understanding of brand, voice, and audience - and how to maintain consistency across channels
• Experience managing or overseeing social media channels for an organisation or campaign
• Ability to use analytics to evaluate performance and make informed decisions about future activity
• Experience writing press releases or supporting media and press engagement
• Confidence building relationships with journalists, media contacts, or external stakeholders
• Excellent organisational skills - able to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain quality under pressure
• Genuine commitment to youth empowerment, social justice, and amplifying underrepresented voices
• Experience with video content production or editing
• Understanding of safeguarding principles when working with young people (training provided)

DESIRABLE

• Proficiency in Canva for creating and adapting branded content
• Experience with email marketing tools and understanding of what makes an effective newsletter or stakeholder communication
• Experience using Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop, or similar tools (training available)
• Experience working in or with the charity, public, or youth sector
• Understanding of civic leadership, social action, or community engagement
• Experience directing, briefing, or supporting others to deliver communications work
• Familiarity with website content management systems
• Experience mentoring or developing junior colleagues or young people

We recruit based on potential, not polish - so don’t worry if one or two of the above are missing - most things can be taught!

ORGANISATIONAL INFORMATION

Youth Leads UK has a small yet mighty team, so you may be required to take on other duties and responsibilities from time to time.

All staff are expected to:

• Adhere to the policies and procedures in the Youth Leads UK staff policy handbook.
• Maintain confidentiality at all times in line with organisational policies.
• Successfully complete an enhanced DBS check and provide two independent references before appointment.
• Actively promote an inclusive and diverse culture within the organisation.

The post holder must have confirmation of eligibility to work in the UK (the successful candidate will be required to provide documentary evidence before a job offer is confirmed).

Multimedia Producer: Brand & Content role

Level: Senior Officer

Line Management: None

Reporting to: Head of Communications

Contract type/length: 2-year contract, renewable 

Hours: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week

Location: Remote (UTC-4 to UTC+5) (with some international travel for events)

Candidates must be located within ±4 hours of the UK timezone (GMT/BST) to ensure sufficient team crossover.

Closing date: 9am (UK time) on Monday 13th July.

The Opportunity

Join United for Global Mental Health as our Multimedia Producer and help drive the global mental health agenda forward. In this new role, you will be the bridge between our evidence-led policy work and what our key audiences see and feel, by crafting content that influences and moves them. You will lead the creation of bold, professional-grade multimedia assets that amplify our advocacy and help to secure funding. If you are a creative storyteller driven to make mental health advocacy unforgettable, we want to hear from you.

About Us

United for Global Mental Health is dedicated to creating a world that enables good mental health for all. We draw on our expertise in policy, advocacy, and financing to work with organisations who share our commitment to driving mental health up the political agenda - and securing additional funding for mental health at national and global level. We founded and act as the secretariat for the Global Mental Health Action Network, an open coalition of mental health professionals of over 10,000 individuals and organisations across 170 countries. 

About You

This is a high-impact role designed to serve as UnitedGMH’s and GMHAN’s in-house creative engine. Following the development of our new Communications Strategy, this position will focus on producing bold multimedia content. You will be responsible for elevating the visual identity of the organisation, ensuring that our evidence-led advocacy is translated into world-class video, data visualisation, and graphic design that captures the attention of global decision-makers, advocates and donors.

Key Responsibilities

1. High-End Video & Audio Production

Signature Podcast: Lead the end-to-end production of the new UnitedGMH ‘podcast clips’ always-on product, including recording, editing, and the creation of high-quality "social-first" video clips.

Staff Commentary and Thematic Films: Coach and directly film UnitedGMH experts and partners to produce professional, timely commentary and thematic films that cement our reputation as sector leaders. 

Field Storytelling: Capture and edit evergreen Global Mental Health Action Network (GMHAN) member stories and policy case studies during global advocacy moments (e.g., World Health Assembly, UN General Assembly) to build a powerful library of movement-building content.

2. Graphic Design & Data Visualisation

Evidence Translation: Work closely with policy leads to turn complex data into bold visualisations that make mental health statistics instantly understandable and moving. 

Brand Guardianship: Act as the lead designer for UnitedGMH assets, including reports, to ensure digital assets consistently meet a "memorable thought leader" standard. This role requires a high-quality design track record utilising professional design software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite); we are seeking an original creator, not a ‘Canva designer’.

Donor Communications: Create bespoke, high-quality creative assets for major donor and partnership moments (e.g., Wellcome, Pinterest, lululemon).

3. Digital Growth & Website Optics

Always-On Paid Ads: Design, test, and deliver creative assets for "always-on" paid advertising campaigns across platforms such as Meta and LinkedIn to drive GMHAN network growth, advocacy awareness, and donor prospecting.

Website Upheaval: Lead on the visual "optics" and user experience (UX) of the UnitedGMH website, ensuring it functions as a high-performing advocacy hub.

Channel Innovation: Support the Comms Officer and Comms Advisor in creating visually engaging content for the workstreams they deliver.

Competencies & Skills

• Multimedia Expertise: Advanced proficiency in video editing (e.g., Premiere Pro, CapCut), audio production, and the Adobe Creative Suite (After Effects, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign).
• Creative Translation: The ability to take "dry" policy evidence and transform it into a compelling visual narrative that triggers action.
• Strategic Targeting: Understanding how to tailor creative content for specific high-level audiences, including government ministers and global health journalists.
• Self-Starter Output: Able to manage a high-volume production schedule and deliver high-quality products with limited supervision, sometimes while travelling for global events.
• Travel: Willingness to travel internationally to support at global events up to 5 times per year for up to a week at a time.
• Technical Proficiency: Experience with podcasting platforms (e.g., Riverside) and paid social ad platforms.
• Dynamic Adaptability: Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, fluid environment with evolving processes and shifting priorities. We are a globally-distributed, collaborative, friendly team, but we move quickly and organically; you will thrive if you enjoy working across multiple projects simultaneously, building relationships with various stakeholders, and bringing creative structure to a busy, fast-moving landscape.

Nice to have

• Motion Graphics: Experience in professional motion design and animation to bring static data, reports, and digital campaigns to life.
• Sector Expertise: Demonstrable experience delivering high-quality communication materials specifically related to international development, global advocacy, global health and/or mental health.
• Ethical Content Production: A clear track record of remotely commissioning and managing local photographers and videographers for global event coverage and case study collection, strictly adhering to ethical communication and informed consent principles.
• Additional language skills: Note this position requires fluent English.

Unfortunately, we are not able to recruit team members in the following countries/regions: Afghanistan, Belarus, Central African Republic, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Myanmar (Burma), North Korea, Russia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine (specifically the occupied regions of Crimea, Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhya), Venezuela, Yemen, and Zimbabwe.

For non-UK candidates: Please note that you would be hired via Deel as an Employer of Record.

Interviews:

Interviews will be conducted remotely. There will be 2 interview rounds and a task to complete.

How to apply:

To apply, please submit your cover letter, outlining how you meet the responsibilities and candidate profile, and a CV, via the Charity Job site.