Training project manager jobs

Head of Communications
Salary: Banding Level 5 £45,000 - £50,000
Contract type: Permanent / Working hours: Full time
Location: Taunton, Somerset. Opportunity for hybrid working

The Head of Communications is a fundamental role within the Somerset Wildlife Trust.

The role is responsible for leading the development and coordinated delivery of the Trust’s communications in line with the Wilder Somerset 2030 strategy. This includes identifying key audiences, crafting core messages, and selecting effective communication channels to raise awareness and understanding of the Trust’s work. The postholder will support staff across the organisation in achieving the strategy’s aims while managing a team of specialists and responding to emerging issues professionally and astutely.

Working across teams, the Head of Communications will develop and deliver an annual communications plan that meets the organisation's priorities.

Key Responsibilities and Tasks

Responsibility 1: Leadership & Cross Team Working

• Strategic Planning: Lead the development of the communications delivery plan and annual calendar, involving all areas of the Trust, defining key audiences, messages and channels with the aim of increasing awareness and understanding of the Trust. Provide effective leadership and build strong working relationships with departments across the charity to ensure integrated communications plans and campaigns are developed and implemented to achieve the maximum impact with external audiences.
• Communications Delivery Plan: Effective coordination of both messages and activity – both reactive and proactive throughout the year. Including improvements with revised website navigation and architecture, SEO improvements and content targeted at priority groups, including use of video, and influencers.
• Senior Leadership Team: Be an active member of the Senior Leadership Team taking collective responsibility for decision making, risk and budget management across the Trust. Work with the Senior Leadership Team to ensure all communications effectively contribute to and support all strategic goals of the Trust.
• Brand Marketing: Work with teams to improve our products and services and how these meet the needs of our audiences, including working with focus groups (with co-creation when relevant).
• Building Capability: Coordinate providing support and training for all staff to achieve effective communications, which supports the Trust’s overall brand and positioning, including mentoring the communications team.
• Systems & Processes: Maintain and develop systems for gathering information and communications planning within the Trust and from project partners, RSWT and SWT. Embedding into all teams’ ways of working.

Responsibility 2: Communications Delivery

• Line Management: Manage, support and develop a team of staff and volunteers to deliver the communications work programme, providing effective line management. Including the provision of specialist support and advice for the development of specific communication campaigns or tools across the organisation.
• Budgets: Ensure communication activity elsewhere in the Trust is produced within allocated budgets and timeframes.
• Performance: Set and manage KPIs and budget for communications programmes, monitoring and reporting performance and reforecasting in line with Trust requirements. Continuous improvement.
• Brand: Develop the Trust’s brand, ensuring a clear and distinctive brand proposition and engaging brand identity, which also supports the Trust as part of the Wildlife Trusts movement. Ensure the brand’s consistent use and monitor the link with the Trust strategy and values.
• Public Affairs: Oversee the PR and media relations (press office function), and act as a key charity spokesperson when required. Horizon scanning and being aware of emerging issues to develop opportunistic messages to optimise nature recovery actions.
• Crisis Management: Protect the Trust's reputation by ensuring the effectiveness of robust crisis management plans and the definition of clear policies and position statements.
• Design, Content & Print: Coordinate the Annual Report with teams and Trustees. Editor for the members’ magazine and print products to support membership retention and enable action for nature.

Responsibility 3: Campaigns for Change

• Strategic Campaign Planning: Work with our policy, advocacy and engagement specialists to design campaigns that move people through the engagement funnel, change behaviour, influence policy, and improve supporter retention. Work with the Exec Team to set campaign objectives tied to clear outcomes: acquisition, activation, retention, behaviour change, policy influence, or income generation.
• Supporter Journeys & Segmentation: Map and optimise journeys across channels (email, web, social media, print, events) with named next steps that move people toward deeper engagement and action.
• Marketing Campaign Leadership: Own the strategic design of multi-channel marketing campaigns and provide clear briefs and creative direction to the delivery team. Ensure channel integration so website journeys, email, print content and social media activity are coordinated and measurable. Keep storytelling compelling while optimising for acquisition and action.
• Advocacy & Policy Campaigns: Work across teams to design campaigns to influence systems change by leveraging our data and evidence, combining public voice, stakeholder engagement and targeted advocacy tactics.
• Behaviour Change Campaigns: Work with our engagement specialists to apply social marketing techniques and behavioural frameworks to shift norms and the adoption of actions for nature. Translate data and evidence into interventions that use communication tactics such as prompts, social proof, incentives and nudges to create measurable behaviour change.

We offer some fantastic benefits including:

• 7% employer pension contribution
• Life assurance
• Flexible and agile working
• Wellbeing support – EAP, wellbeing champions
• Diversity networks through RSWT/TWT
• Paid volunteer days
• Continuous Professional Development opportunities
• 33 days of holiday (25 + bank holidays) + Christmas shutdown
• Staff social calendar and events
• The opportunity to make a real and positive difference to nature, communities and the climate

Closing date: Monday 5th January 2026

Please note: We reserve the right to close the position early if application volumes are particularly high. We encourage you to get your application in sooner rather than later.

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

Somerset Wildlife Trust have an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Plan and are committed to continuing to improve the equality, diversity and inclusion of every aspect of our work; we know we need to engage with everyone to live our values and achieve our goals. We welcome applications from everyone and are happy to discuss any accommodations or arrangements that would make the recruitment process better for you, and the working environment should you be employed.

No agencies please.

The postholders will work with the Area Engagement and Partnership Managers to identify, communicate and engage with the range of voluntary sector organisations working with individuals and their families within the CJS ensuring Clinks provides effective support to help voluntary organisations better meet their aims. To enable Clinks to share information about the sector with HMPPS and other stakeholders. 

They will also work closely with the National Influencing and Networks Team.

It is essential for the postholder to be based within, and have strong knowledge of the geographical area they will be covering.

Please visit our websiter for more information about our area based work.

Please note: Clinks would welcome the opportunity to discuss potential secondments from locally or regionally based voluntary organisations. 

About Clinks  

Clinks supports, promotes and represents the voluntary sector working with people in the criminal justice system and their families. 

Our vision is of a vibrant, independent and resilient voluntary sector that enables people to transform their lives. 

Job purpose

To identify, communicate and engage with the range of voluntary sector organisations working with individuals and their families within the CJS across a geographical area ensuring Clinks provides effective support to help voluntary organisations better meet their aims. To enable Clinks to share information about the sector with HMPPS and other stakeholders

Job summary

These roles will increase awareness and understanding of the criminal justice voluntary sector operating within East of England and the South Central & South West. The post holder will undertake an initial analysis project to identify place-based voluntary sector organisations and the range of and types of services and support provided to people in contact with the criminal justice system and their families. They will identify place-based needs and lead on the collation and sharing of information across the Clinks team and with stakeholders, to highlight the challenges and opportunities. The post holder will need to build new, and nurture existing relationships, with key partners and a range of agencies across sectors.

The post will work within the Area Engagement & Partnerships Directorate and with other Clinks’ staff to identify new members and engagement opportunities, deliver events and training, and provide opportunities to support the capacity and capability needs of the voluntary sector, with a focus on place-based small and specialist organisations working in the CJS.

The post will deliver activity to meet funder requirements, aims and objectives.

Reports to: Area Engagement and Partnerships Manager

Responsible for: N/A 
 

1. Duties and key responsibilities

Area Engagement and Impact 

• Identify and increase awareness of voluntary sector organisations based in the East of England and the South Central & South West, the range of and types of services and support provided to people in contact with the criminal justice system and their families, where they deliver and how they are funded. 

• Understand the work of local and regional voluntary sector infrastructure organisations in a the East of England or South Central /South West to strengthen the support offered by Clinks and increase partnership working and collaboration. 

• Work alongside the National Influencing & Networks team to use this intelligence to influence key decision making at a local and national level.

• Gather intelligence from the sector to identify and understand the needs of place-based organisations and share feedback with HMPPS and other key stakeholders to develop operational processes and influence future commissioning opportunities. 

• Provide support to voluntary sector organisations, keeping the sector informed and up to date and capturing the support provided and its impact. 

• Respond to requests from voluntary sector organisations in need of support and signpost or consider what assistance Clinks (and others) can provide. 

• Work alongside the Area Insights and Impact Officer to capture the needs of the sector and influence and inform future activity. 

• Provide regular area specific communications to organisations utilising Clinks communication channels to share good practice, resources and publications.

• Produce regular blogs, case studies and social media activity to showcase the work of place-based voluntary sector organisations.

• Develop and build upon existing place-based networks to support collaboration and co-ordination between the voluntary, statutory, and private sectors in the criminal justice system. 

• Provide information to help statutory partners and key stakeholders to understand the voluntary sector, its structures and how to work with it. 

External Relationships

• Identify and explore opportunities to develop relationships with area-specific agencies working within criminal justice including Probation, Prisons and local statutory agencies to increase knowledge of locally based voluntary sector services and establish, and embed Clinks’ support 

• Provide representation at various meetings, both internally and externally with partners and stakeholders.

• Work collaboratively to ensure effective information flow across directorates and to and from the sector and stakeholders 

• Develop relationships with regional and local infrastructure organisations to widen Clinks reach and identify joint working opportunities. 

2. General responsibilities

• Represent and be an ambassador for Clinks 

• Work to support the mission, ethos, and values of Clinks 

• Be flexible and carry out other associated duties as may arise, develop, or be assigned in line with the broad remit of the position 

• Support and promote diversity and equality of opportunity in the workplace 

• Work collaboratively with others in all aspects of our work 

This job description does not form part of your contract of employment and can be amended from time to time as the needs of the organisation require.

Person specification 

Experience, Skills and Abilities  

• Significant experience of working or volunteering in the voluntary sector in the East of England 

• Relationship building and management with a range of stakeholders and networks. 

• Good attention to detail and ability to maintain effective records, utilising a range of different methods. 

• Ability to think strategically about the voluntary criminal justice sector, and to analyse and respond to change. 

• Ability to prioritise, multi-task and work under pressure, juggling a busy and varied workload.

• Excellent IT and digital skills, including use of Word, Excel, Outlook, SharePoint, Teams and Zoom. 

• Adaptability and flexibility in being able to deal with new situations quickly and efficiently.

• Good interpersonal and communication skills, both written and spoken, and ability to communicate with a range of stakeholders, at all levels of seniority.

• Convening meetings, arranging and chairing events both in-person and online. 

• Ability to support and coordinate a complex network of organisations including representing diverse views, and promoting their work and issues. 

• A collaborative approach to working with colleagues but also able to work alone. 

• Highly organised with good project and time management skills. 

Knowledge  

• Role of the voluntary sector in addressing social exclusion. 

• The criminal justice context and related policy. 

• Understanding the role of national and local infrastructure organisations 

• An understanding of East of England geographical area 

Personal attributes and other requirements  

• Able to travel extensively across the East of England with occasional travel across England and Wales. 

• Able to work evenings and weekends and stay away from home overnight where necessary. 

• Work well as part of a small team and independently, with a flexible approach to work. 

• Commitment to anti-discriminatory practice and equal opportunities. An ability to apply awareness of diversity issues to all areas of work.  

• Commitment to the values and ethos of supporting people in the criminal justice system. 

This is a new role within our client following functional changes over a number of years. The Head of Supported Living is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing and developing supported living services for adults with learning disabilities within the charity including our client's Shared Lives schemes and their residential home.

The role ensures that services are person-centred, high-quality, and compliant with regulatory and organisational standards, while empowering individuals to live independently and achieve their goals.

Leading culture and change with experience, integrity, collaboration and transparency sits at the heart of the role. 

The role responsibilities will ensure that our client is able to support more people with learning disabilities, autism and mental health problems to lead healthy, active and equal lives. Their ambition is to become a leader in social and green care integration through the alignment of the personalisation agenda, technological enhancement and advancement and holistic health and wellbeing. 

To achieve this ambition, they will transform their services to ensure that they are effective, efficient and impact and outcomes focused. There will be clarity of the offer, understanding of the financial modelling in a very challenging political environment and respect of the unique culture and history of the Charity whilst innovating through the power of accessible technology.

The post will be responsible for ensuring that services are targeted at people who will gain the most benefit from the Trust’s community (campus) offer within rural and urban contexts. The role will create an “expert driven” provision which is evidence based and provides independent living and a life of opportunity through an ethos of co-production, health and wellbeing.

The role will implement agreed strategy, developing delivery plans that are executed with high quality communication and engagement ensuring that the voices of both staff, people supported and families are heard.

The role will be responsible for continuous value for money service enhancement and will deliver significant growth ensuring close and meaningful relationships with authorities, commissions and private markets resulting in increased funding and healthy waiting lists for the homes and services provided. The post will be responsible for a significant budget and will require the financial acumen to manage this effectively. 

As a direct report to a member of the Executive Management Team (EMT) the role becomes a member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and will be pivotal in delivering an ambitious transformation agenda and delivering the charity’s Brilliant Future Strategy.

Location & Travel
West Midlands, Gloucestershire and Hertfordshire

The role will cover our communities at Stourbridge (West Midlands), Grange Village & Oaklands Park (Gloucestershire) and St Albans & Delrow, Watford (Hertfordshire). 

You will be based at one of the communities within the region, with regular travel between communities.

You will be required to attend quarterly leadership away days and other meetings which will require overnight stays.

Duties & Responsibilities

Leadership

• Lead, manage, inspire and develop high performing, highly respected and skilled supported living teams across three communities, supporting and line-managing direct reports to achieve agreed objectives, which will in turn support the delivery of the wider strategic objectives of the Trust.
• Foster a culture of excellence, inclusion, and respect.
• Actively contribute to the Senior Leadership Team, sharing collective responsibility for the development, delivery and evaluation of cross-departmental projects and activities.
• Implement the operational delivery plan that delivers the strategy for supported living services, aligning with the charity’s mission and values.
• Drive continuous improvement and innovation in service delivery to meet the evolving needs of service users with a particular focus on an ageing population and integration of younger people’s services.
• Monitor and respond to sector trends, legislation, and best practices to maintain a leading-edge in-service provision.
• Lead evidence based, high quality communication and engagement opportunities at community level that support the Trust to become an irresistible employer, measured through agreed annual and pulse survey results, positive feedback and clear understanding of the Trust’s direction of travel and objectives.
• Understand, contribute and support the fundraising needs of the charity to ensure added value for those that we support.
• Working with peers, people supported and practitioners; develop digital innovation and technology solutions to create a modern, flexible service and opportunities to support and evidence healthy lifestyle choices that align to the Trust’s Green Care goals.
• Support the development of a Theory of Change for Supported Living and Housing Management across the region and be responsible for implementation of agreed outcomes.
• Ensure effective recruitment, training, and professional development of staff.

Supported Living Operations

• Ensure the delivery of measurable and high performing supported living services. Manage and drive improvements in the performance and quality of all services by setting clear objectives, targets and KPIs, evidence regular monitoring and implementation of actions to address under performance.
• Ensure all supported living services meet or exceed regulatory standards (e.g. CQC or equivalent) and internal quality benchmarks.
• Develop and implement systems to measure and report on service outcomes and impact.
• Lead on contract negotiations with funding bodies and across the region to maximise income for the delivery of supported living services.
• Ensure services are co-produced and that co-production is central to the work of the supported living teams and services are delivered in line with the ‘I-statements’.
• Through the Theory of Change, develop a clear model of active support that enables independence and clarity of needs led provision.

People We Support Advocacy

• Promote a person-centred approach, ensuring that people we support have choice, control, and opportunities to achieve their Life of Opportunity aspirations.
• Establish systems for gathering and responding to feedback from those supported and their families.
• Embed the Family Charter and support a culture of transparency.
• Ensure safeguarding policies and procedures are rigorously implemented and adhered to.

Housing Management

• Ensure properties are fully let to minimise void loss to the target groups identified in the approved strategy.
• Work with colleagues in the Property and Land Services to secure alternative use for unlettable properties to maximises income aligned to agreed plans, tenure and opportunity.

Strategy Implementation, planning, budgeting, and reporting

• Contribution to and implementation of the approved strategies and tactical plans that support the delivery of a Brilliant Future (e.g. Older People, Community Development, Stakeholder Engagement) . 
• Develop and manage a significant and comprehensive operational annual budget and set of KPIs in line with income constraints and create evaluation & monitoring systems that drive value for money and agreed delivery objectives.
• Develop and manage budgets for supported living services, ensuring financial sustainability recognising that the Charity does not fundraise for statutory provision.
• Monitor and control expenditure, ensuring cost-effectiveness without compromising quality.
• Provide monthly insights, performance reports and analysis using proportionate systems appropriate to different audiences and including Executive, Board of Trustees and Trust strategic documents (such as Annual Report and Impact Reporting).
• Ensure contracts are approved and in place for the delivery of all commissioned services.
• Ensure the service procures goods and services in line with the established governance frameworks in place at the Charity.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Lead on the development and maintenance of purposeful operational relationships with key stakeholders within the region including funders, commissioners, health services and other partners.
• Work with stakeholders to develop and transform services to meet evolving needs of the local community.
• Support fundraising activity by providing impact reporting as required by the fundraising team and our supporters and local development of volunteering programmes that add value to the unique services of the trust.
• Build meaningful relationships with families in a way that is transparent and aligned to good practise and safeguarding/MCA principles.
• Advocate for the needs and rights of adults with learning disabilities within local and national forums.
• Represent the charity at key events, meetings, and networks.
• Identify and pursue relevant funding opportunities including grants, contracts and partnerships ensuring that key stakeholders are informed and aware of relevant opportunities.

Transformation and Change

• Contribute to, and support, the Theory of Change development of the current model for delivery of supported living 
• Lead the services across the region through transformational leadership and collaborative implementation of the new model for supported living

Governance, Regulation and EDIB

• Ensure that all supported living activities adhere to charity and housing legislation and meet contractual obligations
• Ensure supported living services comply with the regulatory requirements of the Care Quality Commission.
• Represent the charity internally and externally, including Trustee meetings, as required.
• Observe and comply with all Camphill Village Trust policies, including the key policies and procedures on Confidentiality, Data Protection, Health & Safety, Safeguarding and Information Technology Policies and Procedures.
• Own, develop and review the suite of policies and procedures and delivery frameworks for Green Care and Education and Skills.
• Ensure the development, implementation and review of risk registers and business continuity plans for communities and services in the region.
• You will champion a culture of equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging ensuring all team members feel valued, respected and empowered to carry out their role successfully and support the delivery of our strategy.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Educated to degree level or equivalent.
• Leadership in Health and Social Care level 5 or equivalent.

Desirable

• Safeguarding Adults level 5 or equivalent.
• Professional Housing Qualification level 5 or above.

Knowledge & Experience

Essential: 

• Experience of working and leading teams in not for profit and voluntary sector organisations which deliver services for adults with learning disabilities and autism.
• Can demonstrate a strong understanding of the needs and rights of adults with learning disabilities.
• Experience in coaching and mentoring for success.
• Experience in significant budget management responsibilities.
• Experience in seeking new growth opportunities that are aligned to business strategy.
• Significant experience of managing change, successful service redesign and transformation, in particular lean thinking and other typical models.
• Experience of successfully leading teams to affect and embed change through powerful communications and engagement.
• Knowledge of housing management and housing legislation.
• Experience of leading housing management services within a context of delivering supported living.
• Experience in the development and implementation of policy and procedure.
• Knowledge of Care Quality Commission regulations as they relate to supported living, residential care and shared lives.
• Experience of leading teams over a wide geographical location combining hybrid working styles.
• Know what constitutes excellent safeguarding practice.
• Track record of successful contract negotiation.
• Experience in developing and implementing systems that evidence performance, outcomes and impacts.

Desirable: 

• Experience of developing digital transformation opportunities and the implementation of innovation and digital systems.
• Experience in the development and implementation of Theory of Change methodology.

Personal Attributes

• Excellent communicator – who can communicate with a wide range of people and using a variety of methods.
• Excellent interpersonal, rapport building and active listening skills.
• Good organisational and project management skills.
• Strong leadership skills.
• Able to support and coach others.
• Good team player - able to lead teams and be part of a team.
• Be an ambassador for the Trust and represent the Trust at events and meetings.
• Ability to manage complex information and present it in a coherent manner.
• Ability to travel between communities and stay overnight as required.

Our client is an equal opportunity employer.

Our client is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all adults who use their services and as such expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Successful applicants will be required to complete the relevant pre-employment checks including a DBS check

They reserve the right to close this advert early if they receive a sufficient number of applications.

Do you have a good understanding of social and/or economic policy issues and a proven ability to undertake policy development or campaigning work on specific issues in a wider context? Then join Shelter Scotland as a Senior Advocacy Officer and you could soon be playing a vital role in helping us to deliver positive change for those affected by the housing emergency in Scotland.

About the role

Your main focus will be to lead Shelter Scotland in effectively advocating for the structural policy changes required to end the housing emergency, driving forward our strategic goals to secure more social homes, strengthen housing rights, and build a lasting movement for change. You’ll develop and communicate clear, evidence-based policy recommendations – drawing on research, lived experience, and sector insight – to influence key stakeholders across government, parliament, and beyond. You’ll commission and manage external research, lead stakeholder events, and work collaboratively across teams to ensure our policy work supports public affairs, media, and operational activity. You’ll also line manage an Advocacy Officer, supporting their development and overseeing their performance.

Role specifics

You’ll bring strong experience in crafting high-impact communications that influence decision-makers and persuade key stakeholders. With a solid understanding of Scotland’s political landscape and public policy processes – particularly within the Scottish Government and Parliament – you’ll have a proven track record of driving change through effective advocacy and relationship-building at a senior level. You’ll be proactive in spotting opportunities to influence policy, responding strategically to external developments. Alongside this, you’ll have experience managing externally funded projects, including budgeting and reporting, and will be confident leading and motivating a team to achieve shared goals.

Apply to be part of our team and be the change you want to see in society.

Benefits 

We offer a wide range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave, enhanced family friendly policies, pension and interest free travel loans. Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, payroll giving, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme.

We are happy to talk about flexible working, personal growth, and to promote a workplace where you can be yourself and achieve success based only on your merit.

About the team

The Advocacy Team is part of Shelter Scotland’s Communications and Advocacy Department and is responsible for developing the charity’s policy positions, research plan, and public affairs and professional stakeholder engagement.

The Advocacy team works closely with colleagues in Community Advice and our Telephone and Online Advice services to capture evidence of how Scotland’s broken and biased housing system is impacting communities, and colleagues in Communications and Engagement to translate this evidence into compelling public campaigns and fundraising appeals. The team have led the organisation on developing an anti-racism evidence base, the economic and social benefits of social housing investment and the case for a human rights-based approach to meeting housing need.

About Shelter Scotland

Shelter Scotland is Scotland’s national housing and homelessness charity. Our vision is of a home for everyone in Scotland. For over 50 years, the way we drive change has remained the same. We advise and support people in housing need today and use the insight we gain to inform our campaigns to change tomorrow. We also raise professional standards for those working in Scotland’s housing and homelessness sector by offering a broad range of training courses.

Home is a human right. It’s our foundation and where we thrive. Yet everyday thousands of people are being devastated by the housing emergency.

We exist to defend the right to a safe home. Because home is everything.

We need ambitious, passionate people to join us. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve.

Our enemy is the social injustice at the core of the escalating housing emergency. To win this fight, we must be representative of the people we are here to help and those who support our movement. In all our people decisions, we take pride in being inclusive, equitable and transparent. We are committed to combating racism both within and outside Shelter Scotland. We welcome you on our journey to becoming truly anti-racist.

Safeguarding statement

Safeguarding is everyone's business. Shelter Scotland is committed to protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. All our staff will be expected to observe professional standards of behaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies. 

Shelter Scotland does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.

The post-holder will be based at GMRC but work alongside TRC and MASH women’s services and Greater Manchester Pathfinder partnership, with service users who have experienced sexual trauma but who present with additional complex mental health needs.

They will work with service users in partner organisation settings and in the community, working collaboratively with individuals, carers and partners from local multi agency providers and services, to assess and identify social care needs that may be potential barriers to the client being able to address their sexual trauma.

The post-holder will provide guidance, leadership and consultation on social care legislation and policy to the team and to other areas of mental health services, including joint working where appropriate.

They will contribute to developing and maintaining high standards of decision making and professional practice in the field of social work.

The post-holder will be responsible for a caseload of service users under the care of the Pathfinder Partnership, supporting them in their recovery journey.

They will provide specialist social work interventions to service users and their carers / families, and involve them in all planning, helping to develop social resilience, motivation and daily living skills.

This is an exceptional opportunity to join Belong’s Senior Leadership Team as Director of Policy & Research, a role that sits at the heart of our mission to shape national conversations on cohesion and integration. You will lead Belong’s policy development, research strategy, and national partnerships, ensuring our work is grounded in robust evidence and lived experience. This position offers the chance to influence systemic change, amplify Belong’s voice with policymakers and opinion formers, and ensure our insights drive real-world impact.

As Director of Policy & Research, you will:

• Lead the development of Belong’s policy and research agenda, aligning it with organisational strategy and national priorities.
• Produce high-quality policy outputs, including reports, briefings, consultation responses, and thought leadership pieces.
• Oversee the design and delivery of research projects, including commissioning and partnership work, ensuring rigor and inclusivity.
• Translate research findings into actionable policy recommendations and advocacy strategies.
• Foster strong collaboration between the Policy & Research team and Programme Delivery team, ensuring insights inform both policy and practice.
• Build and maintain relationships with policymakers, parliamentarians, journalists, and opinion formers.
• Represent Belong externally at high-level meetings, events, and in the media, amplifying our impact and reach.
• Develop strategic messaging and narratives that position Belong as a thought leader in social cohesion.
• Support campaigns and public engagement initiatives that promote Belong’s policy goals.
• Contribute to organisational development, strategic planning, and income generation through proposal development and funder engagement.
• Line manage policy and research staff, providing leadership, support, and professional development.

This is a senior leadership role for someone who thrives in a collaborative environment and wants to drive systemic change at scale.

About You
We are seeking a strategic and insightful leader with:

• Proven experience in policy development and research leadership.
• Experience working in or with government, think tanks, or advocacy organisations.
• Strong understanding of social policy and influencing processes.
• Knowledge of cohesion, integration, and community relations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including media engagement and public speaking.
• Ability to translate complex research into accessible policy messages.
• Familiarity with participatory and applied research methods.
• Strong strategic thinking and planning abilities.
• Relevant qualification in public policy, social research, or a related field.
• Experience managing teams and budgets, and supporting income generation through fundraising and proposal development.

Personal Qualities

• Passionate about improving cohesion and integration in the UK.
• Strategic and visionary thinker.
• Collaborative and inclusive leader.
• Politically astute and intellectually curious.
• Practical, focused, and reliable.
• Committed to personal and professional development.

Why Join Us?
At Belong, you’ll be part of a dynamic, values-driven team united by a shared commitment to creating a more inclusive and connected society. We offer:

• 30 days’ annual leave
• Hybrid working (typically 3 days in the office)
• Enhanced sick pay and family-friendly policies
• 3% pension contribution
• Opportunities for professional development and growth

Join us and help shape national policy and research that builds stronger, kinder, and more connected communities across the UK.

Salary: £65,000–£70,000
Location: UK-wide (regular travel across England and Wales)
Contract: Permanent, Full-time

About Belong
Belong – The Cohesion and Integration Network is the UK’s leading not-for-profit organisation dedicated to building a more united and less divided society. Established in 2019, we work across sectors to strengthen trust, belonging, and resilience in communities. Through research, policy influence, and place-based programmes, we connect people, places, and organisations to share learning and drive systemic change. Our growing membership spans local authorities, charities, civil society, and businesses. Belong is collaborative, evidence-led, and committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Our office is based in Manchester and we offer hybrid working for those able to travel there. However, this role is open UK-wide and can be worked remotely, with regular travel across England and Wales required.

Who we’re looking for 

We’re looking for an exceptional Director of Fundraising and Communication who will lead our fundraising and communications with vision and purpose, helping us grow our reach, deepen our impact and amplify our voice. You’ll be joining a people-centred, mission-driven team, united by a shared commitment to making a meaningful difference. At a time when vulnerable young people face increasing challenges, our work has never been more urgent. If you’re motivated by impact and driven by purpose, this is a good opportunity to contribute to lasting change. 

You will be stepping into a well-established and highly effective organisation, but one that remains energised by innovation and continuous improvement. We actively welcome fresh thinking and new approaches that help us evolve and enhance our work. 

What will you do? 

This is a pivotal moment to join JET as we build on fourteen years of impact and enter a new chapter in our journey. We have ambitious plans to expand our reach and influence, and we’re seeking someone who can help us strengthen our funding base and sharpen our message. 

Reporting directly to the CEO, you will lead and develop our fundraising team, shaping a cross-stream strategy and an integrated communications plan. You’ll be responsible for setting the strategic direction for fundraising, communications and events across the organisation. By doing so you will raise JET’s national profile, grow our supporter base and significantly increase income to support programme expansion. 

You’ll bring strong experience across multiple fundraising streams, with a proven track record of securing significant multi-year funding and building lasting relationships with funders—both individuals and organisations. Alongside leading our fundraising efforts, you’ll take ownership of our brand, ensuring clarity and consistency in our messaging, helping partners tell our story, and securing positive media coverage. 

You’ll lead the development of campaigns, fundraising and marketing activities, and digital engagement that not only enhance our national profile but also drive supporter engagement and income growth.

This is a home-based role, with travel required to and within the regions where we operate, including attendance at key events. 

About you 

You will provide strategic leadership across fundraising, communications, marketing and events. Your work will be closely aligned with JET’s five-year strategy, enabling continued growth in funding and programme delivery. 

You’ll bring a wealth of experience in leading fundraising and communications at a strategic level, with a strong understanding of the sector and a track record of securing and sustaining major gifts and partnerships. You’ll be adept at managing integrated campaigns across multiple channels and growing income through sustainable funding models. 

Your leadership style will be collaborative and empowering, with the ability to build high-performing teams and foster a culture of accountability and innovation. You’ll be a confident communicator, able to inspire and influence, with excellent relationship-building skills and a strategic mindset. 

Above all, you’ll be passionate about JET’s mission to empower young people facing adversity. You’ll be a credible ambassador, committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and driven by the desire to make a meaningful difference. 

Across the JET team we cultivate a culture of inclusion that respects individual strengths, views, and experiences. We believe that our differences enable us to be a better team – one that makes better decisions, drives innovation, and delivers better outcomes for our young people. We welcome applicants whatever your background and whatever your stage in life, so if you are returning to the workforce after a period away, or even seeking a change of pace, please get in touch.  

About the Jon Egging Trust (JET)

At JET, we support vulnerable young people to get back on track and realise their potential; more than 45,000 young people right across the UK to date, and there’s so much more we can do. We’re an organisation that really values its people and we’re immensely proud that our team culture is based on caring and raising each other up.

Our benefits package includes:

• Flexible working

• Enhanced annual leave

• Homeworking allowance 

• Occupational pension scheme

• Occupational sickness scheme

• Special paid leave provision

• Enhanced family leave 

Download the Candidate Information Pack

Read our Applicant Privacy Notice 

Child and adult at risk protection policy statement 

The Jon Egging Trust is committed to providing a safe and positive environment for everyone involved in its services and activities. The Trust takes its extended moral and legal duty of care very seriously in relation to children, young people, staff and volunteers. We seek to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all children and to protect them from harm or abuse when they engage in any of our activities. JET expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. The suitability of all prospective employees or volunteers will be assessed during the recruitment process in line with this commitment. 

To apply

Please complete our online application form. 

Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis. The advert will close on Friday 16 January 2026 at [23:30] but may close earlier if a suitable candidate is found, so we encourage early applications. 

Provisional Interview Process

Stage 1 

• First interview: Online interview 

Stage 2 

• Online Workshop and fireside chat 

• Face-to-face interview with presentation in London

Questions?

Contact us through our website.

Please note:

Due to our anonymised recruitment process, if your application is not shortlisted, we are unable to provide personalised feedback.

To become an employee at JET, you must be able to provide evidence of your right to work in the UK and a satisfactory DBS check – enhanced with children's barred is required for this role.

As part of our recruitment process, we want to make clear that we are not able to offer visa sponsorship for this position. 

Please note that the interview process outlined above is provisional and may be subject to change. 

Chief Campaigns and Creative Officer (£25,000)

Central London | 32 Hours Per Week | Reports to Executive Director

Why this role exists

The Trans Legal Clinic turns frontline legal work into change people can feel. We need a senior creative lead to set the look, sound and pace of our public work, run audience-led campaigns and make complex issues clear and actionable.

What you will lead

· Creative direction: Own visual identity, tone of voice and message architecture across print, digital and events.

· Campaigns that move people: Plan and deliver campaigns across our pillars: client rights, systems change, fundraising and recruitment. Turn data and casework insights into creative that lands.

· Social media and content: Own the calendar. Ship platform-specific posts, threads, carousels, short video and email. Moderate comments with care for community safety.

· Rapid response: Prepare toolkits and holding lines for breaking stories. Coordinate with legal and policy colleagues.

· Production: Brief, storyboard, shoot or commission. Edit to deadline. Manage freelancers and suppliers. Keep files, rights and releases in order.

· Accessibility and inclusion: Bake accessibility into everything: captions, alt text, readable layouts and plain language.

· Measurement and learning: Set goals, define KPIs, track performance and share honest learnings. Improve what works, stop what does not.

· Internal enablement: Build a tidy brand kit, templates and guidance so the team can self-serve without diluting quality. Train staff and volunteers.

· Workflow: Keep projects moving with clear briefs, timelines and approvals.

You’ll thrive here if you show

· Entrepreneurial drive: you turn strategy into finished creative and campaigns.

· Ownership and follow-through: you run work end to end and land it.

· Bold, informed judgement: you try new formats and back choices with evidence.

· Clear communication: you write clean copy and match tone to audience.

· Inclusive practice: you build accessibility and safety into content as standard.

· Planning under pressure: you manage live moments without losing quality.

· Team-building and collaboration: you lead creatives and volunteers well.

· Constant learning: you test, measure and iterate.

What you will bring

· A strong portfolio showing strategy-led creative across static, motion and copy.

· Confident in canva or similar. Comfortable with short-form video editing and basic motion.

· Platform literacy across Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok and YouTube. Working knowledge of analytics and paid promotion.

· Clear writing and an ear for tone.

· Calm leadership and useable feedback.

· Sound judgement on reputation, privacy, GDPR and consent.

· Commitment to trans-led practice and the communities we serve.

Helpful extras

• not-for-profit experience
• Familiarity with gender recognition, healthcare advocacy, discrimination, housing and employment
• Basic SEO and email automation.

Practicalities

· Hours: 32 Hours per week

· Location: Central London

· Salary: £25,000.

What We Look For

The Co-founders Mindset

At the Trans Legal Clinic we are building a Trans+ rights revolution; our mission is Trans Liberation. That means access to justice for Trans & Non-binary people everywhere. We deliver work that changes outcomes for people, case by case and system by system. That calls for a particular mindset. We call it the co-founder mindset. Co-founders take the mission personally, set the pace, turn ideas into working services and campaigns, bring others with them, and make change you can point to. Co-founders are entrepreneurial: they spot openings others miss, move decisively, and create momentum. Co-founders build teams, drawing in volunteers who believe in our mission, care deeply about our clients, enjoy working with us, and keep one another going. Co-founders are bold: they are willing to innovate, to be first, and to change the status quo; they check the source, avoid assumptions, solve problems, make firm, collaborative, evidence-based decisions, and take responsibility for results. Co-founders are pioneers. If you want responsibility, pace, and the chance to trailblazer new routes to justice and public impact, this is the place to build your career.

We select candidates based on their performance in 8 areas;

1. Ownership and follow-through

You are a self-starter who owns tasks and takes responsibility without waiting to be asked. You carry your work through to a tangible result. You define the problem, set a course, keep the right people informed, and deliver what you said you would.

2. Bold, informed judgement

You are willing to change accepted practice when the evidence supports it. You check primary sources rather than rely on assumptions, weigh real options and risks, make a clear, evidence-based, collaborative decision, and stand behind it.

3. Entrepreneurial drive

You spot openings other people miss and turn ideas into useful services, processes or campaigns. You move decisively and get others working on the plan alongside you with clear roles and timelines.

4. Planning under pressure

You keep priorities straight when time is tight. You organise people and tasks, set simple checkpoints, communicate early when plans shift and always deliver.

5. Inclusive practice

You strive to make everything you create accessible to others, designing work that is easier for others to take part in, with people who face barriers always in mind. You identify what is getting in the way, make practical changes that remove those barriers, and check the effect with the people involved.

6. Clear communication

You write and speak in plain terms and adjust tone and detail to suit clients, volunteers, partners and the public. You choose the right format for the moment and make it easy for people to act on what you say. You like feedback, don’t get offended and see it as a chance to improve.

7. Team-building and collaboration

You bring people with you and help groups perform well together. You draw in volunteers who believe in the mission and care about our clients, set shared expectations, handle disagreements well, and leave relationships stronger.

8. Constant learning

You improve your own practice and the system around you. You reflect honestly on what worked and what did not, learn quickly, and turn that learning into simple tools or habits that make future work better.

These eight criteria are what we look for. Use them to decide whether this is the right place for you and to shape the examples you share in your application.