At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop online community services for those affected by motor neurone disease.
- Company: Join a dedicated team at the MND Association making a real difference.
- Benefits: 28 days holiday, healthcare access, life assurance, and personal development opportunities.
- Other info: Hybrid working with a commitment to equality and inclusivity.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact while supporting a vital community.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing online communities and strong conflict management skills.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
As our Online Communities Specialist, you'll step into a newly created role where your experience in online forums and digital community support will make a real difference for people affected by motor neurone disease (MND). You'll lead the development and delivery of our online community services, ensuring they remain safe, accessible, and people-centred. You'll take a forum with real potential and develop it into a professional, sustainable peer support service - building the systems, processes and relationships to support long-term growth.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the growth, improvement and day-to-day delivery of online peer-support services
- Manage the forum platform, including configuration, security and performance
- Act as product owner, ensuring technology supports safe community connection
- Lead and coordinate online community support volunteers, including training
- Handle content moderation, complaints, conflict and crisis escalation
- Manage relationships with external suppliers and internal teams
- Ensure safeguarding, legal and regulatory compliance across the service
- Develop service policy, process and business continuity planning
- Analyse community data and contribute to service impact reporting
- Advocate for community needs while balancing organisational priorities
About You
Essential
- Proven experience managing online community platforms, including forums
- Strong understanding of data security, GDPR and Online Safety Act requirements
- Skilled in conflict management, complaints handling and crisis escalation
- Confident with data metrics and reporting
- Able to communicate with care and clarity, including representing an organisation externally
- Experience managing volunteers or staff remotely, supporting their development
Desirable:
- Understanding of person-centred digital support and accessibility considerations
- Experience contributing to digital service or product development
- Experience working with external agencies or suppliers
Hybrid working expectations: home-based role
We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusivity. We work to remove barriers for everyone affected by MND, employees, volunteers, and stakeholders. As part of the Disability Confident Scheme, we guarantee interviews for disabled applicants who meet the role's requirements.
What We Offer
- 28 days holiday, increasing to 33 days after 5 years, plus Bank Holidays
- Access to UK Healthcare, including dental, eyecare, health screenings, and therapies
- 24/7 GP access via phone and video
- Life assurance and confidential counselling helplines
- Salary sacrifice schemes (Cycle to Work, Buy/Sell Annual Leave)
- Access to Benefit Hub for discounts on everyday shopping
- Enhanced pension scheme
- Opportunities for training and personal development
Motor Neurone Disease moves fast. It takes away time, it takes away independence and it has no cure. Every day we support people affected by MND. We fund ground-breaking research. We campaign for better care. We're here for everyone who needs us. Because with MND, every day matters.
Online Communities Specialist employer: Motor Neurone Disease Association
As an employer, the MND Association offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those affected by motor neurone disease. With a strong commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusivity, employees benefit from a supportive work culture that prioritises personal development and well-being, including generous holiday allowances and access to comprehensive healthcare services. The hybrid working model allows for flexibility, while the chance to lead innovative online community services ensures that your contributions will be both rewarding and significant.
Contact Details:
Motor Neurone Disease Association Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Online Communities Specialist
✨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 Motor Neurone Disease Association.
✨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 Motor Neurone Disease Association.
✨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 Motor Neurone Disease Association.
✨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 Motor Neurone Disease Association. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Online Communities Specialist
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 Motor Neurone Disease Association. 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 Online Communities Specialist, 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 Motor Neurone Disease Association
✨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 Motor Neurone Disease Association. 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!
