The successful candidate will be based in Manchester and you must be genuinely interested and committed to working across the City /Region. The role will support the delivery of communications across the organisation, as well as on flagship projects.

The successful candidate will support the delivery of communications across the organisation, as well as on flagship projects. They should have a passion for comms, and with support from the current comms team they will learn to lead on organisational comms across Innovation Unit. While primary focus of this role is Comms, the successful candidate will also support a range of client facing innovation projects as well as internal projects such as team learning events and business development, playing a role of project coordination. 

The successful candidate will be offered a range of development opportunities including attendance at the Innovation Unit Academy, mentorship, one-to-one coaching and chances to learn from colleagues across the organisation and a range of different sectors.

You will be working on a range of different projects. Tasks may include but are not limited to:

Communications Coordination

• Planning, coordinating and delivering an organisation-wide Communications Strategy.

• Maintaining and growing our website using our Content Management System, with support and training as needed. 

• Draft, proofread and share social media and newsletter copy promoting work across Innovation Unit’s portfolio - with support and training as needed.

• Working with the Innovation Unit Team, to support and empower others to engage in communications. 

• Spot and develop communications opportunities, regularly meeting with project teams. 

• Support the tracking of Key Performance Indicators (through analytics) and reporting of insights.

• Support senior colleagues through event planning and coordinating external event attendance.

• Develop ideas for boosting Innovation Unit’s public profile based on live projects and priorities.

Project Coordination and Delivery

• Support Project Leads to plan and coordinate projects including tasks such as: drafting delivery updates for clients; recording minutes; scheduling meetings; and understanding/raising any risks.

• Support the delivery of client-facing projects through tasks such as: leading on event logistics (online and in person) and at times co-designing and co-facilitating workshops; analysing complex information; drafting and designing event documents; and, developing communication materials such as slides and web content.

• Collaborate with your project team to share learning with the wider organisation.

Business Development

• Support staff across the IU team to pursue business development opportunities and develop proposals.

  Personal Attributes

• We are looking for someone with a passion for communications, who can think creatively about what communications can look like, and is keen to explore a career in communications in the non-profit sector.

• This role is based in Manchester and you must be genuinely interested and committed to working across the City /Region.

• You will be a confident self-starter, happy working independently across a number of projects and managing your workload effectively. 

• We would welcome someone bringing fresh energy and insight to Innovation Unit, challenging the organisation to work work ever-more effectively in pursuit of our mission.

• We need people who can work flexibly and creatively. This work is never dull, often demanding and sometimes challenging. You will be happy in front of an audience, at the flipchart, and working with diverse groups of people, comfortable with ambiguity, offering up your analytical, strategic, creative and interpersonal skills. 

• We are actively seeking diversity of lived and professional experience as we know that this enriches our work. 

• You will be comfortable with your place of work varying; at times you may be working from home or hot desking, or visiting clients all over the UK. You will be at ease on the telephone, on conference calls and webinars, at events, and working across Google Drive, as well as face-to-face with clients, partners and colleagues.

• You will be committed to your own learning and development, setting development objectives and investing time in acquiring new skills and knowledge.

• You will be comfortable contributing to the development and learning of our team as well as supporting whole organisational processes including such as recruitment or office management.

  Experience, knowledge and skills

  We don’t expect applicants to have experience in all of the following areas and we understand that you might bring other related experiences that are not listed in the person specification. In your response to our questions on the Applied System, please tell us about any of the areas below that you have experience of, and feel free to include other relevant experience in your response.

  Experience of: 

  • Delivering or coordinating a communications strategy for an organisation or cause, across social media, web and/or other channels.

  • Managing or supporting the delivery of a communications calendar. 

  • Working collaboratively across a team to achieve a common goal. 

  • Working across social media platforms (LinkedIn and Bluesky are our primary platforms).

  • Photography, videography and video production.

  • Working with a content management system (CMS) such as Wordpress or Drupal.

  • Using design tools such as Canva or InDesign.

  Skills

  • Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage and prioritise your own workload.

  • Keen attention to detail, for writing and proofreading content. 

  • Very strong interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written).

  • Organising complex information into digestible, usable and engaging outputs.

  • Coordinating projects, including minute taking, diary management and report writing

  • Building professional client relationships.

  • Supporting the design and facilitation of events (online or in person) with multiple stakeholders and learning activities such as workshops.  

  • Ability to work with multiple colleagues and stakeholders, and manage conflicting deadlines. 

  • Deep understanding of the impact of inequality

  • Working with vulnerable people e.g. children’s social care, youth work.

  • Working on innovation projects and/or change management, including knowledge of innovation methodologies.

  • Ability to produce attractive and professional looking outputs, such as Google Slide decks. 

  • Strong IT skills, including knowledge of Google Suite and Zoom.

  • Concern for contemporary social issues and an understanding of Innovation Unit’s mission. 

    Timeline

  • First round interviews will take place between 6th - 9th May 2025 over video call. The second round will be a test and an in-person interview 14th and 15th May 2025 in either Manchester or London. Final screening interviews with the CEO will be on Monday 19th May 2025 online.

    All candidates will receive an email confirming that their application has been received. After this, we will only contact the applicants that have been selected for interview. Feedback on your application will be given through the Applied system.

    Due to the nature of our work with children and vulnerable adults, Innovation Unit operates a Safer Recruitment policy. All offers of employment will be made on the condition of a DBS check being carried out and we will ask for two references.