About Pathway Fund
Pathway Fund is a social investment organisation dedicated to creating a more equitable economy and improving access to capital for Black and Ethnically Minoritised communities and organisations. The organisation operates across multiple sectors including investment, community development, social enterprise, and community wealth building. Pathway Fund works with the conviction that systemic inequalities in access to finance and economic opportunity require targeted, mission-driven interventions. The organisation is entering a period of significant growth and recognises the critical importance of clear, confident communication about its mission, values, and impact. Pathway Fund operates within the social investment and community development sectors, positioning itself as a key player in advancing racial and economic equity through access to capital and community‑led wealth building initiatives.
About this Role
As Pathway Fund’s most senior communications leader, the Head of Communications & Engagement will shape the organisation’s narrative and lead communications, storytelling, and engagement strategy. This strategic leadership role requires both sound judgement and hands‑on delivery capabilities. The successful candidate will translate complex investment activity, evidence, and community experiences into compelling stories for diverse audiences including communities, staff, trustees, funders, investors, government, and partners. The role demands collaborative working across Pathway while maintaining ownership of the organisation’s voice, narrative, brand, and engagement approach. The Head of Communications & Engagement will strengthen Pathway’s profile, build meaningful stakeholder relationships, and equip colleagues to become confident ambassadors for the organisation’s work. This is a permanent position based in London, reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer. The ideal candidate will combine strategic leadership with practical, delivery‑focused capability. They will develop and implement an organisation‑wide communications and engagement strategy, act as a senior adviser to the CEO and Board, and build communications capability across Pathway through guidance, coaching, and practical support.
Responsibilities
- Develop and deliver an organisation‑wide communications and engagement strategy aligned with Pathway’s objectives
- Set clear priorities, audiences, messages, and channels, and establish effective communications systems, governance, and performance measures
- Advise the CEO, Board, and senior leadership on communications, reputation, stakeholder engagement, risks, and opportunities
- Own and strengthen Pathway’s narrative, brand, and positioning across all communications
- Turn complex investment activity, programme evidence, and impact data into clear and compelling stories for different audiences
- Develop high‑quality content across digital, social, print, film, publications, and events
- Centre community voices through ethical and authentic storytelling, including experiences of Black and Ethnically Minoritised communities
- Lead internal communications that connect colleagues with Pathway’s mission, strategy, and impact
- Equip staff and trustees to act as confident ambassadors for the organisation
- Lead external communications, media activity, thought leadership, and major organisational announcements
- Build Pathway’s profile and strengthen its reputation across social investment, community development, community wealth building, and racial equity
- Build meaningful relationships with communities, government, public bodies, funders, investors, media, partners, and sector organisations
- Develop engagement plans that strengthen influence, support investment opportunities, and advance Pathway’s mission
- Create genuine two‑way engagement, enabling communities to shape Pathway’s narrative and tell their own stories
- Ensure communications are accessible, culturally informed, and relevant to diverse audiences
- Act as senior communications adviser to the CEO and Board
- Prepare speeches, presentations, briefings, key messages, and talking points
- Support high‑profile engagements and advise on the external stakeholder environment
- Build communications capability across Pathway through guidance, coaching, tools, and practical support
- Commission and manage agencies, freelancers, suppliers, and the communications budget
- Combine strategic leadership with hands‑on writing, coordination, and delivery
Requirements
- Significant senior‑level experience in communications, engagement, public affairs, marketing, or a related field
- Strong track record of developing and delivering communications strategies in a complex or mission‑driven organisation
- Exceptional writing and storytelling skills with the ability to turn complex information into clear, accessible, and compelling content
- Experience shaping organisational narratives, building reputation, and delivering content across digital, social, print, and events
- Experience developing genuine two‑way engagement with communities and stakeholders
- Confidence advising senior leaders and boards, managing sensitive communications, and building relationships across sectors
- Experience managing agencies, suppliers, and communications budgets
- Strategic judgement combined with a practical, delivery‑focused approach
- Strong relationship‑building, political awareness, and digital communications capability
- Collaborative, community‑centred approach and commitment to racial and economic equity
- Mission‑driven mindset and commitment to racial and economic equity
- Collaborative, curious, and an excellent listener
- Authentic, credible, and able to challenge constructively
- Politically and culturally aware
- Comfortable with change and ambiguity
- Pragmatic and able to combine strategic thinking with hands‑on delivery
- Knowledge of social investment, community development, community wealth building, community‑led housing, social enterprise, or the VCSE sector (advantageous)
- Experience working with Black and Ethnically Minoritised‑led communities or organisations (particularly welcome, but not a substitute for strong communications capability)
Benefits
- Permanent contract position offering employment security
- Competitive salary range of £58,000 to £65,000
- Senior leadership role with direct reporting to the Chief Executive Officer
- Opportunity to shape communications strategy for a mission‑driven organisation focused on racial and economic equity
- Involvement in an important period of organisational growth
- Collaborative work environment with emphasis on community‑centred approach
- Access to reasonable adjustments and inclusive recruitment practices
- Role in influencing social investment and community development sectors
- Opportunity to work with and amplify voices of Black and Ethnically Minoritised communities
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