At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead YMCA's communications strategy and amplify young voices across England and Wales.
- Company: Join the world's largest youth-focused charity with a rich history since 1844.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous holiday, gym membership, flexible working, and a company pension.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team committed to equality and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on young lives while shaping the future of communications.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in strategic communications and team leadership.
Location: London/Hybrid 2 days a week in office
Salary: £70,700.00 per annum
Weekly Hours: 35
Reference: YMC1231934
About Us
Founded in 1844, YMCA is a global movement and the world's largest youth-focused charity. In England and Wales, YMCAs are based in over 700 communities across 168 local authorities supporting young people and communities to reach their potential. The turnover of YMCA in 2025-26 was £386m. YMCA England & Wales is a £23 million organisation of more than 400 colleagues, supporting a Federation of 80 local YMCAs to deliver vital services which positively impact young lives across the country. As we enter 2027, a year of significant impact in our mission, we seek a Head of Communications for maternity cover.
The opportunity
As Head of Communications, you'll lead YMCA England & Wales' communications and reputation strategy, growing our influence, visibility and impact across England and Wales. You'll be responsible for leading the delivery of an integrated communications strategy that strengthens our reputation, supports organisational priorities, amplifies the voices and experiences of young people, and positions YMCA as a leading voice on the issues that matter most to young people and communities.
Working closely with the Senior Leadership Team, local YMCAs and external stakeholders, you'll oversee YMCA England & Wales’ media relations, collaborative public affairs and campaign communications, digital communications, content development, brand amplification, event delivery, internal communications, and crisis communications. As part of the Leadership Team, you'll work collaboratively across departments to help deliver our strategic goals.
Day to day, you'll provide expert communications counsel to senior leaders and trustees, protect and grow our brand and reputation, lead integrated campaigns that support our influencing objectives, and turn research and insight into compelling public narratives. You'll also lead our approach to crisis communications and issues management. You'll manage a high-performing communications team, alongside the budget for that team, and help strengthen communications capability across the wider YMCA Federation.
About You
You're an experienced, strategic communications leader who can operate confidently at senior and board level, translating organisational priorities into clear, compelling communications plans. You'll have a strong track record in brand awareness building, reputation management and media relations, and an instinct for storytelling that builds engagement and trust.
You're calm and decisive under pressure, with proven experience leading crisis and issues communications. You know how to lead, motivate and develop a team, manage budgets effectively, and build strong relationships across a complex, federated organisation. Above all, you're passionate about YMCA's mission and committed to championing equality, diversity, inclusion and safeguarding in everything you do.
Our recruitment process is anonymised and candidates' names are hidden. We welcome and encourage job applications from people of all backgrounds. Safer recruitment is important to us and the successful applicant will be asked to provide two references. They will also be required to complete a safeguarding self-declaration, safeguarding training and undertake a DBS check. For further information on YMCA, visit www.ymca.org.uk/about.
Benefits
- Generous holiday
- Annual season ticket
- Gym membership
- Flexible working policy
- Company pension
- Health care scheme
Head of Communications: Maternity Cover in London employer: YMCA England and Wales
As a Nursery Administrator at our rapidly growing company, you will be part of a supportive and dynamic work culture that values employee well-being and development. With generous holiday allowances, a company pension, and unique benefits like a 50% discount on childcare services, we prioritise a healthy work-life balance while fostering opportunities for personal and professional growth in a vibrant environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Communications: Maternity Cover in London
✨Join PR Communities
Get involved in local PR groups or online communities where professionals gather to share opportunities and insights. Engage in conversations on platforms like Twitter or LinkedIn—spotting temporary roles often happens in these spaces.
✨Attend PR Events
Look for industry events, workshops, or conferences that focus on public relations. Not only will you learn from the pros, but you might also meet someone who's looking for temporary help, which is perfect for a gig like this!
✨Showcase Your Skills
Create a portfolio that highlights any past PR work, campaigns, or even university projects. Share it on your social media or PR forums—you want to make sure your great work is visible when the right temporary role comes up.
✨Apply Directly on Our Website
When you spot a temporary PR role with companies like YMCA England and Wales, don't hesitate to apply directly through our website. You'll be on the front line, making it easier for you to get noticed!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Communications: Maternity Cover in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:When you're applying for a temporary role in public relations, your cover letter is your chance to show off your passion for the field. Highlight any relevant PR experience you have, even if it's just through internships or volunteer work. Tell us why you're excited about the opportunity at YMCA England and Wales and how you can help make an impact, even in a short time!
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Public relations is all about communicating effectively, so make sure your CV reflects this! Use clear, concise language and showcase any writing samples you might have, such as press releases, blog posts, or social media campaigns. Including a link to a portfolio could really set you apart from other candidates.
Demonstrate Flexibility and Adaptability:Since this is a temporary role, we want to see how quickly you can jump in and start contributing. Mention past experiences where you successfully managed multiple tasks or quickly adapted to changing situations. It’s these qualities that will show us you can thrive at YMCA England and Wales even on a short-term basis!
Research YMCA England and Wales and the Industry:Before submitting your application, take some time to learn about YMCA England and Wales and its approach to PR. Mention anything specific you like about their campaigns or strategies in your cover letter. This extra effort shows us you're genuinely interested and ready to bring your unique perspective to the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at YMCA England and Wales
✨Brush Up on Your Crisis Management Skills
In public relations, handling crises is key. Be ready to discuss past situations where you managed communication challenges effectively. Bring examples that showcase your quick thinking and strategic response – they want to see you in action!
✨Show Off Your Portfolio of Campaigns
Since this is a temporary role, showcasing your portfolio is crucial. Make sure you have a collection of your best press releases, campaign plans, or media coverage. You want to prove you can hit the ground running and bring valuable experience to YMCA England and Wales right away!
✨Know Your Media Landscape
A strong PR candidate should be familiar with the media landscape. Brush up on key journalists, publications, and current trends in communications. Think about how you’d tailor messages to different media outlets – you might get asked about this during the interview!
✨Be Ready to Discuss Networking Strategies
Networking is a big part of PR work, especially in a temporary role. Be prepared to chat about your previous networking experiences or how you plan to build key relationships quickly at YMCA England and Wales. They’ll want to know you can create buzz and leverage your connections immediately!
