Senior Communications Officer

Job Description & Person Specification

Senior Communications Officer

Salary:             £27,000 - £30,000 per annum (depending on experience)

Contract:         Permanent
Hours:             Full-time, 40 hours per week

Location:         Manchester, M14 6AX or remote

Reports to:      Director of Marketing and Communications

Closing Date:   Rolling (until a suitable candidate is identified)

We are unable to sponsor applicants for visas for this particular post. Applicants must be resident in the UK and have the right to work in the UK.

READ Foundation is a UK based registered charity working to provide access to quality education to vulnerable children in our regions of work. We create opportunities for orphan and needy children to go to school, to gain an education and build a better life for themselves. We currently focus on constructing new schools, providing sponsorship for orphans and are now expanding our educational portfolio to reflect the large humanitarian and development needs ongoing throughout the world.    

Purpose of job
To lead on planning, developing, and delivering effective communications activity for READ Foundation. This includes creating inspiring stories, strengthening the charity’s profile, and building supporter trust through media engagement, newsletters, blogs, brochures, speeches, voiceovers, reports, social media, and creative campaigns.

The Senior Communications Officer will manage messaging across internal and external channels, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and impact. They will work closely with colleagues, supporters, and partners to produce high-quality communications that reflect READ’s values and showcase the difference our work makes.

Communications and Storytelling

• Develop and deliver READ Foundation’s communications strategy to strengthen the organisation’s voice, profile, and brand.
• Produce and edit high-quality copy across a range of formats, press releases, articles, blogs, newsletters, brochures, case studies, speeches, voiceovers, donor reports, and campaign materials, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and impact.
• Tailor messaging and tone of voice for different audiences (supporters, media, partners, and internal teams) while maintaining consistency with READ Foundation’s brand.
• Gather and craft impact stories from beneficiaries, supporters, and field teams to showcase READ’s work.
• Draft speeches, talking points, and scripts for senior leadership, events, and multimedia projects.
• Review and edit reports, donor updates, and organisational documents to ensure clarity, accuracy, and alignment with brand tone.
• Support and manage relationships with journalists, media outlets, and community platforms to secure coverage and raise awareness.
• Support with reputation management and crisis communications, including drafting holding statements and advising on tone of voice during sensitive issues.

Digital and Social Media

• Oversee content planning for social media channels, ensuring strong storytelling and supporter engagement.
• Collaborate with the Senior Digital Marketing Officer and MarComms team on campaigns that combine communications and digital marketing.
• Support SEO-driven content updates for the website to improve visibility and engagement.
• Assist in producing short-form video edits, copy, and voiceover scripts for social campaigns (with support from external teams).
• Campaigns and Engagement
• Lead on the communications aspects of creative campaigns, ensuring messages are compelling and consistent across channels.
• Develop clear, consistent campaign messaging that resonates with target audiences and supports fundraising, advocacy, and awareness objectives.
• Coordinate and produce content for supporter newsletters, brochures, and email campaigns.
• Support fundraising and advocacy campaigns with strong messaging and storytelling.
• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure alignment of communications with fundraising and programme priorities.

Internal Communications

• Support internal communications to ensure staff and volunteers are well-informed and engaged.
• Produce clear and engaging updates for internal newsletters, briefings, and team events.
• Assist senior leadership with speech writing and formal communications as required.
• Monitoring and Reporting
• Track and evaluate communications activities, media coverage, and supporter engagement.
• Report on communications performance to the Director of Marketing and Communications with recommendations for improvement.
• Monitor media coverage and supporter sentiment, providing insights to inform future communications.

This job description reflects the current requirements of the post. As duties and responsibilities change and develop due to changes in organisational and other circumstances, so the actual duties and responsibilities will vary from the particulars of this job description.

Please apply with your CV and supporting outlining how your skills and experience meet the person specification for the post.

Successful applicants will be subject to relevant reference and identification checks.

Due to the volume of applications, we may be unable to respond to all candidates. If your application is short-listed, we will get in touch. If you have not heard from our team within 8 weeks, please assume your application has not met the criteria on this occasion.

No agencies please.

Thank you for your interest in READ Foundation, we look forward to receiving your application.

Person Specification

Essential

• Degree or 3+ years’ experience in communications, PR, or a related field
• Proven ability to write and edit clear, persuasive, and inspiring copy across multiple formats (press releases, speeches, blogs, newsletters, brochures, donor reports, campaigns)
• Experience in developing campaign messaging and narratives tailored to different audiences and channels.
• Strong proofreading and attention to detail in tone, grammar, and style
• Confidence in speech writing, voiceover scripts, and formal communications for leadership, campaigns, and events
• Experience in reviewing and copy-editing reports and organisational documents
• Knowledge of media relations and experience engaging with journalists/outlets
• Familiarity with social media management and ability to support digital campaigns
• Experience in developing creative campaigns and supporter-facing content
• Excellent interpersonal and stakeholder management skills
• Highly organised with strong planning and time-management skills
• Self-motivated and able to work independently as well as collaboratively

Desirable

• Understanding of advocacy and policy communications
• Understanding of SEO and website content updates
• Awareness of accessibility and inclusivity in communications
• Ability to make basic design/layout amends using templates (e.g. Canva, InDesign)
• Knowledge of Arabic or Urdu

Commitment to Safeguarding and Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA)

All staff members, regardless of their role or level within READ Foundation are required to uphold READ Foundation’s safeguarding standards and commit to the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA).

Key Responsibilities:

• Adhere to READ's Safeguarding and PSEA Policies and Code of Conduct at all times.
• Report any safeguarding concerns or SEA incidents they become aware of, following READ's reporting mechanisms.
• Participate in mandatory safeguarding training and refresher sessions.
• Cooperate in good faith with any safeguarding investigations, audits, or reviews conducted by READ.
• Promote a culture of safeguarding within their respective roles and ensure that safeguarding risks are identified and mitigated.
• Failure to comply with these safeguarding responsibilities may result in disciplinary action, including termination of employment, in line with organisational policies.

Safeguarding Commitment: At READ Foundation, we are unwavering in our dedication to creating a safe and secure environment for all, especially children and vulnerable adults. We maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of sexual exploitation and abuse. To uphold this commitment, this role necessitates background checks and strict adherence to our safeguarding policies and procedures. By applying for this position, you acknowledge and pledge to uphold our safeguarding principles.

The position also comes with the following benefits:  

• Investment in training, professional growth and development  
• Health insurance cash plan
• Hybrid working options available (some days working remotely can be discussed at time of interview) 
• Occupational Pension Scheme
• 32 days annual leave (including Bank Holidays and company-wide holidays) 
• Paid time off for bereavement, sick days and medical appointments 
• Awards for employee of the year 
• Annual away days/retreats involving training, teambuilding, outdoor and social activities.
• Free parking in a central location
• Access to prayer facilities

READ Foundation is committed to diversity and equality of opportunity in all aspects of our work, along with encouraging a healthy work life balance.  

READ Foundation is an accredited National Living Wage Employer.