At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape national conversations on youth relationships and influence policy for positive change.
- Company: Football Beyond Borders, a leading UK youth organisation focused on education and support.
- Benefits: 40+ days annual leave, wellbeing budget, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with significant autonomy and opportunities for growth.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team making a real impact on young people's lives through trusted adult relationships.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and a passion for youth advocacy.
The predicted salary is between 31000 - 36000 £ per year.
Football Beyond Borders (FBB) is one of the UK's leading education and youth organisations. We exist to support young people from socio-economic disadvantage to thrive in school by building long‑term, trusting relationships with adults who believe in them. We believe every young person should have a trusted adult relationship throughout secondary school. Since launching in 2014, FBB has grown into a national organisation working with thousands of young people across schools in London, Greater Manchester and the West Midlands. We combine relationship‑based practice, education, youth work and culture to help young people feel seen, supported and successful both in and beyond school.
We are working to help build a country where every young person has access to a trusted adult relationship – and where schools, systems and organisations are designed around belonging, connection and long‑term human development. Central to this ambition is the Trusted Adult Guarantee (TAG) – a growing coalition of organisations, practitioners, policymakers and researchers committed to ensuring every young person has access to a trusted adult relationship.
This is a unique opportunity to sit at the intersection of policy, communications, public affairs and movement building. You will help shape national conversations around young people, relationships, belonging and the role trusted adults play in improving outcomes. You will work across government, education, sport, research and philanthropy sectors to build relationships, influence policy discussions and strengthen FBB’s reputation as a thought leader.
What You’ll Own
- Raising the profile of trusted adult relationships nationally
- Positioning FBB as a leading voice on trusted adult practice and policy
- Supporting the development of the Lost Boys Taskforce and Trusted Adult Guarantee
- Building relationships with policymakers, civil servants, funders and sector leaders
- Translating evidence, insight and practice into compelling policy and communications outputs
- Ensuring FBB contributes meaningfully to national conversations affecting young people
What You’ll Do
Policy & Public Affairs
- Build and maintain relationships with policymakers, civil servants and influential stakeholders
- Monitor developments across education, sport, youth, health and social policy
- Identify opportunities for FBB to influence policy discussions
- Coordinate FBB’s responses to relevant consultations, reviews and policy developments
- Represent FBB at policy roundtables, conferences and sector events
- Support engagement with Parliament, political parties and government departments where appropriate
Thought Leadership & Movement Building
- Develop FBB as the leading voice on trusted adult relationships in the UK
- Develop relationships with aligned organisations and coalition partners
- Support the growth of the Trusted Adult Guarantee network
- Convene events, roundtables, webinars and sector discussions
- Identify opportunities to strengthen collaboration across the sector
Communications & Content
- Lead the creation of high‑quality policy and thought leadership content
- Translate complex ideas, evidence and policy into accessible communications
- Write blogs, articles, briefings and opinion pieces
- Support speech writing and external communications for senior leaders
- Manage newsletters and thought leadership communications
Research, Insight & Publications
- Work closely with FBB’s Impact Team and Executive Team to develop reports and publications
- Translate evidence and learning into compelling external outputs
- Support the production of annual impact reporting
- Develop reports that strengthen FBB’s credibility and influence
Who We’re Looking For
- Passionate about improving outcomes for young people
- Believes in the transformative power of trusted adult relationships
- Politically aware and curious about how change happens
- Exceptional writer and communicator
- Can build relationships with a wide range of stakeholders
- Comfortable representing an organisation externally
- Thrives in fast‑moving and ambiguous environments
Experience We Think Will Help
- Public affairs
- Policy
- Campaigns
- Strategic communications
- External affairs
- Government relations
- Research and advocacy
What You’ll Get From Us
- 40+ days annual leave (including organisation‑wide shutdown periods)
- Wellbeing budget
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
- Nike staff kit
- Access to football tickets through partners
- Reflective Practice and clinical supervision
- Team socials, celebrations and residentials
Before You Apply
You do not need to meet every requirement to apply. If this role excites you and you believe you could contribute meaningfully to FBB’s mission, we would love to hear from you. We particularly welcome applications from people whose identities, experiences or backgrounds are under‑represented within leadership across the charity, education and youth sectors.
Safeguarding at FBB
Safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to creating a safe, inclusive and supportive environment for all young people and expect all staff to share this commitment.
How to Apply
Please submit your CV and a cover letter explaining why this role interests you and what you would bring to it.
Policy and Communications Manager in London employer: Football Beyond Borders
Football Beyond Borders (FBB) is an exceptional employer dedicated to creating a supportive and impactful environment for its employees. With a strong focus on meaningful relationships, professional development, and a culture rooted in connection, autonomy, and mastery, FBB offers generous benefits including over 40 days of annual leave, a dedicated learning budget, and a wellbeing programme. Joining FBB means being part of a passionate team committed to transforming the lives of young people through trusted adult relationships, all while enjoying a collaborative and nurturing workplace culture.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Policy and Communications Manager in London
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Football Beyond Borders.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Football Beyond Borders.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Football Beyond Borders.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Football Beyond Borders. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Policy and Communications Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Football Beyond Borders. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Policy and Communications Manager, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Football Beyond Borders
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Football Beyond Borders. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
