Communications Manager

Overview

Communications Manager

We are looking for an experienced, hands-on communications all-rounder with a breadth of skills to lead all regional and local communications activities in the areas where we are developing new Youth Zones. The role requires an organised, dynamic and self-motivated individual with exceptional project management and stakeholder management skills. This is a key role within the communications team, supporting growth across the Youth Zones network.

This role will take sole responsibility for communications activity across live and established projects, including those currently in development. You will:

• Create understanding and awareness between the charity and local/regional audiences that matter to us.

• Manage a portfolio of end-to-end integrated communications and PR programmes across multiple Youth Zones at various stages of development.

• Work closely with teams, Youth Zone relationship managers and fundraisers, as well as the CEO, Trustee Board and Young People s Development Group, acting as their trusted communications advisor.

• Collaborate with local stakeholders, including Local Authority communications leads and supporters, to establish new Youth Zones as independent charities.

• Hand over ongoing communications support to the Youth Zone s full-time resource after handover, while providing light-touch ongoing support. Mentoring or coaching experience is beneficial.

We are looking for a candidate who can demonstrate a broad range of communications skills, from brand development to placing newsworthy stories in local media, to supporting the development of Youth Zone websites and the launch of social media channels.

• Communications, either in agency or in-house
• All-round integrated communications experience, including PR, copywriting and digital
• Building relationships with journalists and working with the media
• Advising internal and external teams and stakeholders at all levels
• Working directly with young people
• Using digital platforms and tools such as Mail Chimp, Hootsuite, Word Press and Google Analytics
• Managing creative/design/digital agencies and briefing design and print teams

If you are confident pitching a story to media as you are managing a branding project or overseeing an event, this could be the role for you.

A national charity that funds and builds state-of-the-art Youth Zones in economically disadvantaged areas, supporting young people across a national network of independent youth charities. The organisation provides training and ongoing support to Youth Zones nationwide.

• Position: Regional Communications Manager
• Location: Hybrid working – two days a week in an OnSide office (Bolton or White City, London) plus home-working and travel across the Youth Zones Network
• Salary: £40 - £45k per annum
• Hours: Full-time (37.5 hours/week)
• Contract: Permanent
• Benefits: Agile working with flexible hours; 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (rising to 30); birthday leave; annual leave purchase; pension; sick/maternity/paternity/adoption pay;
  Employee Assistance Programme; networks to join (including Equity, Diversity & Inclusion); access to Charity Worker discounts

Closing Date: 12 noon on Monday 13 July 2026 (early close possible if high volume of applications).

First stage interviews (virtual): Thursday 16 July 2026

Second stage interviews (in-person): Thursday 22 July, Location TBC

Please note this role is advertised by the recruitment agency acting for the client, Not For Profit People.