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- Tasks: Lead impactful communications that inspire and engage across all channels.
- Company: Join Make-A-Wish UK, a charity making dreams come true.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid work, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Shape meaningful narratives and drive engagement for a noble cause.
- Qualifications: 2+ years in communications, strong leadership, and storytelling skills.
- Other info: Dynamic role with a focus on collaboration and continuous improvement.
The predicted salary is between 49098 - 49098 £ per year.
Location: Reading, Hybrid
Salary: £49,098 per annum
Contract Type: Permanent
Campaign Closes: 28th November 2025
First Stage Interviews: 9th/10th December 2025
Second Stage Interviews: 15th/16th December 2025
We are looking for a Communications Lead to shape and deliver impactful communications that inspire and engage. You will lead day‐to‐day coordination of internal and external communications, ensuring clarity, consistency, and creativity across all channels. Acting as deputy to the Head of Brand, Communications & Entertainment, you'll manage specialist managers and oversee integrated planning for campaigns, partnerships, and internal engagement.
Qualifications
- Significant experience (2+ years) in a mid‐senior communications role, ideally within the charity or not‐for‐profit sector.
- Proven ability to lead, manage, and coordinate communications teams and projects across multiple disciplines.
- Strong understanding of integrated communications planning – including PR, digital, social, and internal comms.
- Demonstrated experience delivering impactful communications that build engagement, increase awareness and drive consideration.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft clear, compelling, and emotionally resonant messages.
- Experience developing and delivering internal communications strategies that foster alignment and culture.
- Collaborative leadership style with the ability to coach, motivate, and support a high‐performing team.
- Skilled in managing competing priorities in a fast‐paced environment.
- Excellent stakeholder management and partnership communication experience.
- Strategic thinker with strong operational delivery skills and a focus on impact and efficiency.
Core Purpose
The Communications Lead plays a pivotal role in delivering Make‐A‐Wish UK's mission by leading the planning, coordination and execution of impactful communications across internal and external channels. Acting as the communications lead across everyday operations, this role ensures alignment, clarity, and consistency across the organisation's communications outputs, storytelling and messaging. It provides strategic and operational leadership to specialist communications managers and supports the delivery of high‐quality campaigns, partnership communications, and internal engagement activity. This role supports the Head of Brand, Communications & Entertainment to develop long‐term brand and engagement strategy, while ensuring excellence in delivery, team coordination, and communications impact.
Key Responsibilities
- Communication leadership & coordination
- Lead the day‐to‐day management and coordination of Make‐A‐Wish UK's communications activity, ensuring cohesive planning, consistent messaging, and effective delivery.
- Line manage specialist communications managers and coordinate cross‐team workflows to improve collaboration and reduce operational bottlenecks.
- Oversee integrated communications planning for key projects and partnerships – ensuring alignment across media, social, digital and internal channels.
- Lead and support delivery of flagship communications moments such as organisation‐wide annual campaigns, events and major brand partnerships.
- Serve as deputy to the Head of BCE where required, representing the communications function internally and externally.
- Internal communications
- Lead the development and implementation of a structured internal communications strategy to strengthen staff engagement, visibility of organisational priorities, and alignment across teams.
- Alongside senior leadership and relevant stakeholders, deliver consistent, creative, and on‐time internal communications such as internal newsletters, all staff update meetings, and ad‐hoc announcements.
- Equip managers and internal stakeholders with tools and guidance to communicate effectively across teams.
- Corporate and partner communications
- Coordinate and develop communications for key corporate partnerships, high‐value donors, and campaigns to ensure strategic alignment and high‐quality delivery.
- Work collaboratively with fundraising and partnerships teams to ensure communications activity enhances partner experience, reinforces brand values, and drives impact.
- Oversee the production of tailored communications plans, toolkits and templates for partners to ensure consistent, on‐brand engagement.
- Campaigns and storytelling
- Provide senior communications support for major campaigns, ensuring clear narratives, powerful storytelling, and consistent brand representation across all channels.
- Support the Head of BCE in developing emotionally resonant communications that connect audiences to the mission and deepen understanding of Make‐A‐Wish UK's impact.
- Ensure quality control and brand alignment across all public‐facing content, in partnership with the Content Manager.
- Drive the development and optimisation of key messages, and their effective use across all touch points within the organisation.
- Measurement and continuous improvement
- Track and evaluate communications performance using agreed KPIs.
- Use available data and insights to refine processes and improve communications effectiveness across channels. Seek out new data and tracking ability to enhance learnings and inform development.
- Contribute to a culture of learning, collaboration and continuous improvement within the BCE team.
Seniority level: Mid‐Senior level
Employment type: Full‐time
Job function: Marketing, Project Management, and Strategy/Planning
Industries: Non‐profit Organizations
Communications Lead in Reading employer: Make-A-Wish® UK
Contact Detail:
Make-A-Wish® UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Communications Lead in Reading
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the charity sector and let them know you're on the hunt for a Communications Lead role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on opportunities or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research Make-A-Wish UK thoroughly, understand their mission, and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. Be ready to share specific examples of your past successes in communications that demonstrate your impact.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your creativity! When discussing your ideas for campaigns or internal communications, think outside the box. Bring fresh, engaging concepts to the table that could resonate with both staff and stakeholders.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Make-A-Wish UK.
We think you need these skills to ace Communications Lead in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Communications Lead role. Highlight your relevant experience in communications, especially within the charity sector, and showcase how your skills align with what we’re looking for.
Showcase Your Storytelling Skills: Since this role is all about impactful communications, don’t forget to include examples of your storytelling abilities. Share specific campaigns or projects where you’ve crafted compelling messages that engaged audiences.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, clarity is key! Use straightforward language and structure your thoughts logically. We want to see your excellent written communication skills right from the start.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Make-A-Wish® UK
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into Make-A-Wish UK's mission and values. Understand their recent campaigns and communications strategies. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you align your experience with their goals.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading communications teams and projects. Be ready to discuss how you've managed competing priorities and fostered collaboration among team members in fast-paced environments.
✨Craft Compelling Stories
Since storytelling is key in this role, think of impactful communications you've delivered in the past. Be prepared to share specific examples that demonstrate your ability to create emotionally resonant messages that engage audiences.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few thoughtful questions ready. Inquire about their internal communications strategy or how they measure the success of their campaigns. This shows your strategic thinking and genuine interest in contributing to their mission.
