External Relations Director Jobs in Manchester

About Design for Good

Design for Good (DfG) builds, trains and focuses a passionate global creative community to design direct and lasting impact for the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. On a breadth and scale only possible through cross-company collaboration.

Your Role
We are seeking a Senior Communications & PR Leader to drive impactful internal and external communications and strengthen our global network. You will be responsible for developing and executing a dynamic communications strategy while building strong relationships with media partners to raise awareness of our global alliance and its achievements. This is a hands-on role ideal for a candidate who excels at strategic thinking but is also comfortable with content creation using own copywriting and visual skills, as well as guiding other content creators from volunteering partners.

We are looking for someone who shares the DfG mission, has a passion for storytelling, and excels at strategising and delivering innovative communication and PR initiatives. Additionally, the ideal candidate will also possess exceptional communication skills to engage effectively within our global network, connecting diverse audiences and their communication departments. The Communication & PR leader will collaborate with programme staff, and senior management to deliver compelling content across various platforms, including digital marketing, press, branding and storytelling initiatives. The working environment is informal, team-oriented, and encourages individual input and development. Thereby supporting the execution of DfG’s impact-driven program to improve life through design. This position reports to the Managing Director of Design for Good.

Key Responsibilities:

• Communication Strategy: Develop and implement a communications strategy to elevate DfG’s global visibility and impact.
• Public Relations & Branding: Build and strengthen relationships with press contacts, and public relations partners to expand DfG’s reach. Enhance and promote our brand to ensure consistent messaging and representation.
• Content Development: Lead and create content for various channels, including the website, social media, events, annual reviews, and press releases
• Content Execution: Plan, coordinate, and deliver communication activities in partnership with alliance communication leads and external partners.

Key Requirements:

• Passion for DfG's mission to improve life through design
• Senior-level experience in communications, and public relations ideally in an NGO, charity or mission-driven organisation.
• Strong public relations network and a proven track record of securing media coverage for a global organisation.
• Exceptional communication skills in English, with strong storytelling abilities (additional languages are a plus).
• Ability to work independently while motivating and collaborating with colleagues and partners globally.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to meet deadlines.
• Comfortable working remotely with international teams across different time zones.

Preferred Skills and qualifications

• Proven experience building and managing relationships with media, partners, and stakeholders (foundation is a plus)
•   Experience in sectors related to international culture, design, creativity, or sustainability.
•  Familiarity with diverse media channels and target audiences
•  Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, PR, Marketing, or a related field.

Compensation
Salary payment is dependent on skill set, experience and education.

Responses to applications
Replies will be sent during January 2025.

Director of Programmes

Salary – Highly competitive salary

Location – Hybrid working, split between the Foundation’s office in London and home.

Are you ready to make a significant impact in the world of sport and community development? Do you have the strategic vision and leadership skills to shape and deliver transformational programmes that leave a lasting legacy? If so, we’d love to hear from you!

About the Football Foundation

We’re the Football Foundation – the Premier League, The FA and Government's charity that helps communities improve their local football facilities through football grants. This means better games and more players - helping transform communities where demand is greatest, and impact will be strongest. We have ambitious plans and with the support from our funding partners, the Football Foundation is well-supported to continue to invest in community pitches and facilities across the nation. 

The role

The Director of Programmes will play a pivotal role in the strategic leadership and management of our Programmes Directorate. Reporting to the Chief Executive and working closely with the Board of Trustees, you will help shape the strategic direction of our key programmes and new business opportunities, driving meaningful progress and measurable results.

As a member of our Senior Management Team (SMT), you will support the CEO in steering the organisation towards continuous improvement and success, serving as a trusted adviser to the Foundation Group Board and Panels, and contributing to the Foundation’s overall strategic vision.

What are we looking for?

We’re looking for a dynamic and visionary leader with a deep understanding of sport, community projects, government strategies, and funding opportunities, underpinned by expertise in participatory sports development. You will bring extensive leadership experience, demonstrating a proven ability to manage performance, balance workloads, and foster positive, supportive team environments. Your skill in navigating multi-stakeholder environments will be essential, ensuring objectives are met, expectations are managed, and performance insights are communicated clearly and effectively.

With a track record of driving key strategies, leading impactful projects, and optimising resources for success, you will translate our organisational strategy into ambitious programmes that inspire partner collaboration and deliver tangible results. You will oversee the management and delivery of our core strategic initiatives, including grass pitches, multisport advisory services, and multi-pitch hubs, ensuring these programmes consistently meet and surpass their goals.

Building on your expertise in designing and delivering innovative programmes, you will take a lead role in developing tech-enabled post-award processes to ensure that grant awards achieve their full potential. By maximising the impact of our funding partners’ significant contributions, you will play a pivotal role in driving the long-term success and sustainability of our shared initiatives.

This is a unique opportunity to shape meaningful programmes that make a lasting difference, working within a collaborative and forward-thinking organisation dedicated to positive change.

Our Four Corners

We refer to our company values as our Four Corners:

· Fair Players – open and inclusive in our approach

· Star Performers – trusted to deliver

· United Team Player – collaborative and easy to work with

· Passionate Supporters – flexible and willing

If you share these values and have the necessary skills and experience for the role, then we look forward to hearing from you.

What can we offer you?

You will start on 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (which increases after 2 years), plus additional time off to volunteer. We also offer a generous pension scheme (8% employer contribution), free health care provision, a monthly gym subsidy, death in service benefit and access to selected match tickets.

We are committed to helping our team members maintain a healthy work-life balance, so offer flexible working around core hours to help achieve that.

Equality and Diversity Commitment

The Football Foundation is committed to, and values the principles of diversity, equality, equity, and inclusion. We strive to provide an inclusive and supportive working environment where all our team feel respected and supported in fulfilling their potential. We encourage and welcome applications from all, regardless of background and are particularly interested to hear from individuals belonging to under-represented groups including diverse ethnic communities, individuals with a disability, and those from the LGBTQI+ community.

Should you need any adjustments to the recruitment process at either application or interview stage, please contact us at jobs @footballfoundation. org. uk

How do I apply?

If this sounds like the role for you, please follow the steps outlined below to apply.

Please send the following to jobs @footballfoundation. org. uk

o CV

o Cover letter - please highlight briefly and clearly your suitability for the role, together with your reasons for applying (no more than one page of A4).

The closing date for applications is: 23:59, 19th January 2025

1st stage interviews via MS Teams are currently scheduled for 27th and 28th January

2025, with 2nd stage in person interviews to follow

Due to the volume of applications received for most roles, the Foundation only contacts candidates if they are shortlisted for interview. If you do not hear from us within two weeks of the closing date, you should assume your application has not been successful.

Please note that you must be eligible to work in the UK to apply.

Charisma is working in partnership with Guide Dogs to appoint their new Director of Guide Dog Service. Guide Dogs, the world’s largest assistance dog organisation, offer a wide range of services to support people living with a vision impairment. Their expert staff, dedicated volunteers and life-changing dogs help people with sight loss to live actively, independently, and well.

This senior leadership role helps people with sight loss to live the life they choose through the direction, delivery and development of the guide dog service. The postholder will cultivate a high-performance culture, and will be accountable for strategic oversight of breeding, puppy raising, dog training, creating/supporting partnerships, rehoming, and dog health to ensure the provision of a high-quality service that meets the needs of service users, and brings strategic goals to fruition. 

The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate the following:

• Substantial track record of leadership at senior management level (or equivalent) in an organisation of comparable size and complexity.
• Experience of long-term service or operations planning to meet strategic objectives.
• Evidence of successful financial management.
• Track record in supporting organisational change, influencing, building and sustaining relationships to achieve results.
• Comprehensive knowledge of safeguarding regulations.
• An in-depth understanding of customer relations.

We are seeking a dynamic, inspiring and influential individual, able to serve as a role model for the organisation, displaying integrity and confidence. Experience of, and commitment to, continuous organisational improvement and the ability to act as a change agent will be essential.

For more information, please contact Katherine Anderson-Scott, Associate Director, Charisma Charity Recruitment. Your application should be submitted through the Charisma website and include your CV and supporting statement.

We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, or other category protected by law.

Location: Homebased with frequent travel to all Guide Dogs sites

Closing date: 19th January 2025

Charisma vetting interviews must be completed by close of play on the 27th January.

Interviews with Guide Dogs to commence w/c 10th February 2025

Salary: £70,000 - £75,000 per annum

Location: Remote – UK based. Our offices are in East London but we welcome applicants from across the UK who do not wish to relocate. Please note that travel to our London office for regular meetings would be at your own cost.

Hours: 4-5 days a week (flexible – minimum 28 hours/ week)

Contract: Interim. circa eight months, from mid-March 2025

Secondments will be considered.

Benefits: 25 days annual leave, excluding bank holidays and three days off between Christmas and New Year. We currently offer a non-contractual 4.5 day working week, with staff having Friday afternoons off, subject to work demands.

About The Young Foundation

Today, The Young Foundation’s mission is to shape a fairer, greener future. We support locally-led action, building knowledge around the issues people tell us they care about. We involve communities in research, and delivering programmes to shape a stronger, fairer society. We work collaboratively to improve lives and address shared challenges, driving social change for stronger communities and a fairer future.

Our strategy, the Power of Participation, sets out our ambitious, five-year plan.

About the role

As part of The Young Foundation’s five-year strategy, this interim cover role will lead delivery of our distinctive function to support a fair and just transition to net zero for vulnerable households and communities across the UK. You will lead and support delivery of a portfolio of projects including our partnership with University of Manchester to deliver the JUST Centre; work with national government and devolved nations on public participation and environmental legislation; and pioneering policymaking and practice with local and combined authorities to build readiness, resilience and strategies to ensure a just transition.

This is a crucial moment in the UK’s journey to net zero. We know that a fairer, stronger, green and digital economy can regenerate local places and improve people’s lives. But, to achieve this, policymakers across the UK need to better-understand people’s readiness for change, giving practical support, inspiring trust, and mobilising local action. Community engagement and participation is vital in a fair, sustainable, and socially transformative shift to net zero.

Leading a small team, and in collaboration with our external affairs, research and innovation teams, you will have the opportunity to drive forward a critical agenda for the UK, building practices, skills, thought leadership and innovation to drive a just and fair transition. You can read more about our work in this area on our Just Transition hub.

How to apply

With reference to the job description, please complete and return the application form, CV and additional information requested to us.

The closing date for applications is 11:59pm on 22 January 2025.

Successful candidates will be informed by Monday 27 January 2025 at the latest.

1. First round interviews will be held on Thursday 30 January [online]
2. Shortlisted candidates will have the opportunity to meet informally with the senior team and members of the Just Transition team on Monday 3 February [online]
3. Second round interviews will be held on Wednesday 5 February at Toynbee Hall, London

The Young Foundation is an equal opportunities employer and as part of our commitment to increasing the diversity of our team we actively encourage people from Black and Ethnic Minority or other under-represented groups to apply for this role. We positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.

You must have the right to live and work in the UK. Applicants who require a work permit in order to take up employment will not be considered.

Upon submitting your application, you will receive an automated response to say we have received your application.

Please note that we review applications after the closing date. All internal applications will be reviewed.

Education for All Morocco (EFA) is a transformative charity dedicated to creating opportunities for marginalized girls in Morocco to access quality education. Established in 2007, we have worked tirelessly to transform the lives of young girls, giving them full access to education and additional support thanks to a well-resourced learning and living environment. 

In order for us to continue to connect with donors and partners worldwide, we are looking for a Communication Co-Ordinator to drive our communication and marketing strategy to amplify our impact and champion educational equity in Morocco.

Position Overview: 

We are seeking an experienced and passionate Communications Coordinator to develop and execute our communication strategy. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in telling the story of our mission and driving our message forward across diverse platforms. This will include managing both internal and external communications, developing compelling content, enhancing donor engagement, and strengthening our digital presence.

Key Responsibilities: 

1.Communications Strategy:

·Collaborate with the Managing Director to design and execute a comprehensive communications plan.

·Ensure consistency in messaging and alignment with the charity’s goals.

2.Digital Marketing Strategy:

·Develop and manage a multi-channel digital marketing strategy and a content calendar. 

·Grow and engage with our online community, to create a vibrant presence across our social media platforms.

3.Donor Relations: 

·Create impactful, consistent donor-facing communications, including compelling case studies, impact reports and thank-you messages.

·Liaise with donors and other funding partners to align and deliver communication strategies. 

4.Content Creation: 

·Develop compelling written and visual content for marketing purposes, including social media, newsletters, annual reports and press releases.

·Capture the impact of our work through storytelling, photography and videography, as needed.[MB1] 

5.Publicity: 

·Act as the liaison for media enquiries and public relations opportunities.

6.Monitoring and Reporting

·Track and analyze communication metrics to evaluate the success of the strategies and inform future strategies. 

Personal Qualities:

·A creative thinker with a passion for storytelling, promoting social change and embracing the importance and impact of our work.

·Strong organizational skills and a proactive approach to problem-solving. 

Required Skills and Experience:

·Proven experience in communications and digital marketing, ideally in the charity sector

·Exceptional written and verbal communication skills in English, proficiency in Arabic is an advantage. 

·Expertise in social media management and content creation.

·Strong storytelling skills with a creative eye for visuals and branding.

·Experience with donor engagement practices and impact reporting.

·Ability to work independently, meet deadlines, and manage multiple projects.

Working Hours, Location and Benefits: 

·8-12 hours per week, based on workload[MB2] 

·This is a contractor position, allowing flexibility and remote work.

·Competitive remuneration to be determined based on experience and expertise. 

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should upload their CV, cover letter and examples of their previous work by the 5th of February.

SCIE Vision

We are committed to building a society which enables people who draw on social care to live fulfilling lives.

At the SCIE, we are driven by our values:

· Progressive – always learning and developing.

· Inclusive – working together for equality, diversity, and fairness.

· Credible – evidence-based, robust, and reliable.

· Transparent – open and honest.

The role:

A great opportunity for you to join our small friendly team and make a real difference to people’s lives by:

· Ensuring that SCIE’s evidence, drawn from research and people’s lived experiences, influences social care policy and practice.

· Developing and delivering influencing strategies, drafting policy papers and legislative briefings, and managing relationships with various stakeholders and key partners.

· Growing SCIE’s profile as an influential, informed, and powerful voice in the social care sector.

· Positioning SCIE to work as a partner to government, responding independently to new government policy, supporting and advising on a range of national policy programmes, initiatives, and influencing guidance and practice.

· Producing high-quality research and evaluations demonstrating what works and makes a difference in social care, promoting evidence-based good practice.

What we are looking for:

· Knowledge of the policy and political landscape developed from previous experience working in a policy or public affairs role, either in government, the civil service, charities, or non-governmental organisations.

· Proven experience developing and delivering public affairs strategies and leading influencing activities.

· Proven experience producing policy papers and applying policy research skills, such as evidence gathering, analysis and reporting.

· Proven experience as a strategic and analytic thinker who can influence policymakers with persuasive arguments, policy ideas and campaigns.

· Proven ability to manage a wide range of internal and external stakeholder relationships, including at senior levels, and to engage with people with diverse viewpoints and backgrounds.

What we offer in return.

We offer excellent staff benefits including a competitive salary and homeworking allowance. We provide an employer pension contribution above the statutory minimum, an award-winning employee assistance programme, and an attractive holiday package which rises with length of service.

If you would like to access the application form in a different format or if would like any assistance that might help improve your experience while completing the application, please contact us. (You can find our contact email in the 'How to apply' section)

Job Title: CEO

Salary: Actual salary is £36,000 per year. (FTE £45,000)

Contract/ Hours: 4 days per week / 0.8FTE. The normal working week is 30 hours.

Annual Leave: FTE annual leave entitlement is 23 days pro rata plus public and bank holidays.

Pension: Pension contributions of 5% per month will be paid by NUM and 3% per month will be deducted from salary.

Base/ Location: Must be UK-based. NUM is a national organisation with workspaces in Manchester and Glasgow and CEO will be required to travel throughout the UK and internationally.

About NUM:

National Ugly Mugs (NUM) was established in 2012 as a pilot project of the UK Network of Sex Work Projects. It is now the largest sex worker-serving violence prevention and survivor support service in the UK, with a mandate to ‘end all forms of violence against sex workers.’ All of our services are delivered with, by, and for sex workers and our work is grounded within three principles: 'Sex Workers' First; 'Quality Support'; and 'Learning and Innovation'. We support over 9,800 members, 85% of whom are active adult industry workers, with the remainder comprising a range of frontline practitioners and delivery partners. NUM advocates for the decriminalisation of sex work. To learn more about NUM visit our website: www[dot]nationaluglymugs[dot]org

Role Purpose:

The main purpose of the CEO is to provide inspirational leadership to NUM and ensure long term sustainability through innovation, strategic planning, effective governance, funding, and sound delivery of services. The CEO will take a lead role in the national policy advocacy work NUM carries out to achieve its objectives.

We encourage applications from people with lived experience of sex work.

Documents below contain and a full person specification and the main responsibilities of the role.

How to Apply:

To apply email your CV (no more than 3 pages) and an application covering letter (no more than 2 pages) to admin[at]uglymugs[dot]org[dot] by 5pm on 13th February. Please write CEO Application in your subject line or your application may be lost and not processed.

Short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviews throughout March. Interviews will include a presentation about your strategic direction, and will likely be followed by a second interview.

Your cover letter should set out why you are interested in the post and demonstrate, with specific examples from your experience and qualifications, how you meet the person specification criteria. Please also include two references (including your current or most recent employer; they will only be contacted after confirming this with you).

For a confidential discussion about the position, you are welcome to talk with long-standing board member Dr Laura Graham, laura.n.graham[at]northumbria[dot]ac[dot]uk.

We are committed to inclusion and equal opportunities in the workplace and we actively encourage applicants of all different ages, genders, social and economic backgrounds, ethnicities, religions and sexual orientations, and from people with and without disabilities. Please contact admin[at]nationaluglymugs[dot]org if you have any access needs regarding applying for this role or attending an interview should you have any access requirements or need any reasonable adjustments to be made. Applications are encouraged from people with sex work community experience. If this experience is shared in applications it will be kept confidential.

About Responsible Finance and these roles:

Responsible Finance is the membership association for the UK’s Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFIs). CDFIs are community lenders, committed to delivering positive social impact, and offer fair and affordable finance to businesses, social enterprises and to people unable to access it elsewhere.

This is a pivotal moment to be joining the CDFI sector. Responsible Finance and CDFIs are poised for exciting growth following two record-breaking funding announcements in late 2024 which has seen the sector backed by Government and leading financial institutions including the British Business Bank and JPMorgan Chase. This follows Lloyds Banking Group becoming the first mainstream lender to invest in the CDFI sector earlier in the year.

This new funding will enable business-lending CDFIs to scale their reach and impact, supporting economic growth and financial inclusion across the UK. Successful candidates will play a vital role in helping to make sure that CDFIs are supported to build their operational capacity and maximise the opportunity this brings.

We are seeking (2 - 3) exceptional candidates to help us to deliver an ambitious Capacity Building programme for our business-lending CDFIs and support our growing member base. You will manage the delivery of key projects within the Capacity Building programme, work closely with our members and stakeholders and demonstrate versatility and flexibility to deliver outstanding results. 

No prior knowledge about CDFIs is required so long as you have a keen interest to learn about the sector and are passionate about increasing access to fair finance for businesses, underserved communities and people.Do not be discouraged from applying if you do not meet all the criteria listed in this job description. If you know how to deliver results, overcome challenges and obstacles, and are a committed team player, with a can-do attitude we want to hear from you! 

Purpose of the role

The Programme Manager will manage the delivery of key projects and support the Programme Director in overseeing the smooth running of a Programme Management Office (PMO) ensuring that the CEO and Board have the information needed to steer the success of the Programme. 

Key Responsibilities:

Key responsibilities across the 2-3 roles will include the following:

• Project managing the delivery of key work streams and projects such as the award and monitoring of grants to support capacity building and Requests for Proposal (RFPs) for the delivery of training. 
• Monitoring the progress of projects, identifying issues and proposing solutions, and maintaining and producing a range of high-quality project documentation (plans, risk and issues registers etc) to support effective delivery – and leading on project and programme board meetings.
• Working closely with CDFIs and stakeholders to identify needs, lead problem-solving, provide support to overcome challenges, and commission reports on progress – synthesising these reports into overall progress reports and presenting back to the programme oversight group and main grant-funder (JPMorgan Chase).
• A project supporting the technical integration of CDFI’s systems and the British Business Bank’s lending platform.
• In addition to the support for business lending CDFIs set out above, one of the role-holders may also lead a project to further develop Responsible Finance’s support offer for personal lending members and be the day-to-day point of contact for these members.

This is a varied and dynamic role, working closely with our members and a range of key external stakeholders. This job description is not exhaustive; it outlines the key tasks and responsibilities of the post. These key tasks and responsibilities are subject to change. Any changes will be made in consultation with the post holder.

Skills and Experience:

Essential

• Strong and proven project/programme management and delivery experience and demonstrable ability to manage multiple projects at once.
• Highly self-motivated and able to drive your own work forward, but equally a team player with a collaborative working style. 
• Experience of grant management and/or contract awards and monitoring. 
• Excellent communication skills including concise writing skills and ability to synthesise information into an easy to comprehend format/narrative (both written and verbal).
• Experience managing project budgets.
• Strong relationship-building and interpersonal skills. Must be comfortable working with stakeholders at a range of levels. 
• Experience analysing and synthesising data from multiple sources and presenting findings clearly and succinctly to stakeholders and members. Fluency with applications such as Excel is essential. 
• Strong problem-solving skills.
• Proven ability to manage multiple stakeholders and get information needed from busy people. 

Desirable

Working as part of a small organisation, you will need to demonstrate flexibility and versatility and have opportunities to support a range of other projects and support services for our members, developing a wide range of skills and competencies. 

Therefore, in addition to the essential criteria above, we are also interested in candidates with the following skills and experience:

• Experience in organising and delivering events and workshops.
• Experience of creating and delivering presentations.
• Experience managing web content, online newsletters and social media posts. 
• Experience in developing graphics/infographics using apps such as Canva.
• Experience with research, monitoring and evaluation.
• An understanding of CDFIs and/or lending helpful – particularly investor relations. 

 To Apply:

Equity and fairness are at the core of our organisation and we are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can be their best.

Please send your CV and responses to the following questions below to Careers4Change:

• What appeals to you about this job/Responsible Finance and why do you think you’ll do a great job?
• You are working on multiple projects. The people you need information from are super busy. How do you ensure project deliverables and targets are met on time, within budget and meet quality expectations?
• You are tasked with gathering regular programme reporting information from a group of Responsible Finance’s CDFI members. You will need to turn this into a report for the funder. Please describe how you would go about collecting the information, synthesizing it, and writing up a report.
• You are responsible for managing a grant awarding process for Responsible Finance’s CDFI members to build operational capacity. JPMorgan Chase has provided funding for Responsible Finance to onward grant. Briefly describe the key stages of the process that you would incorporate, and why, and highlight the key considerations for Responsible Finance in awarding grants to members.

Please apply via the Careers4Change website. 

Location: Remote, with occasional expenses-paid travel 

Reporting To:Programme Director 

Contract: 2-year fixed term contract with possibility of becoming permanent

Salary: Up to £35,000 (depending on experience)

Date Closes: Monday 3rd February 2025

Interviews will be held virtually in February 2025. 

The Operations, Fundraising and Communications Manager will:

• Manage the internal operations of the organisation and ensure that the Board of Trustees meets its legal obligations.
• Manage the external profile of High Peak Community Arts, in order to maintain and increase the sustainability of the organisation, through increased visibility and income streams.
• Take joint responsibility with the Board of Trustees and the staff team for the ongoing development of the organisation.