At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead engagement strategies to protect and restore Britain's rivers through community and stakeholder collaboration.
- Company: Join River Action, a passionate organisation dedicated to environmental change.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to making a difference.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on environmental issues while working with influential leaders.
- Qualifications: Experience in stakeholder engagement and a passion for environmental advocacy.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 52000 £ per year.
Salary: £42,000–£52,000 (depending on experience)
Contract: Permanent
Hours: 37.5 per week (Monday to Friday)
Holiday: 25 days per year plus bank holidays; an additional 3 days holiday between Christmas and New Year
Location: Home based with regular travel within / to London and across the UK
Probationary Period: 3 months
Reports to: Head of Department
Benefits: Flexitime policy, 5% pension contribution
Line Management: Depending on experience, may line‑manage the Senior Engagement Coordinator.
We are River Action, a small and agile campaigning organisation on a mission to rescue Britain's rivers from a toxic cocktail of agricultural, sewage and industrial pollution and water shortages. We support community action, galvanise and mobilise public opinion, influence government policy, take legal actions and call out destructive industrial practices to incentivise changes that end river pollution and secure freshwater.
As River Action’s profile, influence and policy impact continue to grow, we are expanding our Public Affairs function to strengthen engagement with decision‑makers, regulators, businesses, NGOs, strategic partners and local communities. The Engagement Manager will play a critical role in helping River Action influence change by developing high‑level relationships, building strategic partnerships and providing strategic leadership across River Action’s engagement programmes to advance our policy, legal and campaigning objectives.
This is a senior engagement leadership role responsible for providing strategic oversight of both stakeholder engagement and community engagement activity, ensuring River Action’s grassroots campaigning and external influence work are mutually reinforcing.
Main Responsibilities
- Develop and deliver River Action’s stakeholder engagement strategy.
- Manage relationships with senior stakeholders and decision‑makers.
- Develop and implement engagement or public affairs strategies.
- Identify, map and prioritise key stakeholders across government, regulators, business, NGOs, academia and civil society.
- Build and maintain productive relationships with senior external stakeholders.
- Create opportunities for strategic collaboration that advance River Action’s mission and objectives.
- Monitor stakeholder developments and identify opportunities and risks.
Managing Stakeholder and Community Engagement
- Provide strategic leadership and oversight of River Action’s stakeholder and community engagement programme.
- Ensure effective delivery and continuous development of the River Rescue Kit and Community Toolkit as key resources supporting grassroots campaigners and community groups.
- Oversee catchment‑based engagement strategies that strengthen community‑led action, advocacy and campaigning.
- Work closely with the Senior Engagement Coordinator to identify opportunities to expand and strengthen River Action’s network of stakeholder and community groups, campaigners and partners.
- Ensure insights, evidence and priorities emerging from stakeholders and local communities inform River Action’s public affairs, policy, legal and campaigning work.
- Monitor the effectiveness and impact of community engagement activities and ensure learning is shared across the organisation.
- Support the development of engagement frameworks, systems and processes that enable effective community mobilisation at scale.
Public Affairs and External Influence
- Support the delivery of River Action’s Public Affairs strategy.
- Build relationships with parliamentarians, political advisers, local authority leaders and relevant government officials.
- Support engagement with regulators including the Environment Agency, Natural Resources Wales, Ofwat and other relevant bodies.
- Represent River Action in external forums, roundtables, conferences and stakeholder meetings.
- Coordinate stakeholder engagement around key campaigns, policy initiatives and legal actions.
Strategic Partnerships
- Develop partnerships with environmental NGOs, think tanks, academic institutions, financiers and businesses.
- Identify opportunities for joint initiatives, campaigns and advocacy activity.
- Strengthen River Action’s position within the wider environmental and public policy landscape.
- Convene strategic partnerships to support policy and campaigning objectives.
Organisational Leadership
- Work closely with the Head of Public Affairs to support delivery of organisational objectives.
- Provide strategic direction, support and oversight to the Senior Engagement Coordinator, ensuring community engagement activity aligns with organisational priorities and objectives.
- Provide stakeholder intelligence and strategic advice to senior leadership.
- Contribute to organisational planning and public affairs priorities.
- Support cross‑team working between Public Affairs, Campaigns, Communications, Legal and Fundraising.
- Ensure strong integration between River Action’s community engagement, public affairs, campaigns, communications and legal work.
Communications and Representation
- Act as an ambassador for River Action externally.
- Support media opportunities through stakeholder engagement and relationship building.
- Prepare briefings, stakeholder reports and engagement plans.
- Help identify influential voices and advocates who can amplify River Action’s work.
Monitoring and Reporting
- Maintain stakeholder engagement plans and CRM records.
- Monitor engagement outcomes and report against agreed KPIs.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of stakeholder engagement activity and recommend improvements.
What you’ll bring
Essential Experience
- Significant experience in stakeholder engagement, public affairs, external affairs, partnerships or advocacy.
- Experience managing relationships with senior stakeholders and decision‑makers.
- Experience developing and implementing engagement or public affairs strategies.
- Experience overseeing or managing community engagement, organising or grassroots campaigning programmes.
- Experience translating community priorities and local evidence into policy, advocacy or campaigning objectives.
- Experience working across complex stakeholder environments.
- Experience representing an organisation externally.
Essential Knowledge
- Understanding of UK water‑related political, regulatory and policy‑making processes.
- Understanding of stakeholder engagement and influence strategies.
- Understanding of community engagement, organising and mobilisation approaches.
- Knowledge of environmental, sustainability or public policy issues.
Essential Skills
- Exceptional relationship‑building and networking skills.
- Strong influencing and negotiation abilities.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong strategic thinking and political awareness.
- Ability to balance strategic stakeholder engagement with community‑led campaigning and mobilisation.
- Strong understanding of how grassroots engagement can support policy, legal and public affairs objectives.
- Ability to develop engagement strategies that connect local action with national influence and impact.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and complex stakeholder relationships.
- Excellent project management and organisational skills.
Desirable
- Knowledge of water policy, environmental regulation or agricultural policy.
- Experience engaging with Westminster, Whitehall or devolved administrations.
- Experience developing partnerships with businesses and financiers.
- Experience supporting policy or advocacy campaigns.
- Experience working with community‑led environmental campaigns or citizen science initiatives.
Why join us?
- Be part of a mission‑driven organisation working to restore and protect the UK’s rivers.
- Work at the heart of political and environmental change, influencing decision‑makers at the highest levels.
- Work in an agile, supportive and happy work environment where your ideas and expertise will have real impact.
- Opportunities for professional development and growth within the organisation.
Diversity and inclusion
Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies show that women and people of colour are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single criteria. We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace. So if you like the look of this role but your past experience does not align perfectly with everything in the job description, we’d still love to hear from you. You may be just the right person for this role.
Engagement Manager employer: South West Community Chaplaincy
River Action is an exceptional employer dedicated to restoring Britain's rivers, offering a dynamic and supportive work culture that empowers employees to make a tangible impact on environmental change. With a focus on professional development, flexible working arrangements, and a collaborative atmosphere, team members are encouraged to innovate and engage with key stakeholders across the UK. Join us in a mission-driven environment where your contributions will directly influence policy and community action for a sustainable future.
Contact Details:
South West Community Chaplaincy Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Engagement Manager
✨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 South West Community Chaplaincy.
✨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 South West Community Chaplaincy.
✨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 South West Community Chaplaincy.
✨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 South West Community Chaplaincy. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Engagement Manager
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 South West Community Chaplaincy. 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 Engagement 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 South West Community Chaplaincy
✨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 South West Community Chaplaincy. 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!
