Strategic Communications Manager

Your role

We are looking for an experienced and passionate Strategic Communications Manager to work as part of our Policy & Practice Team.

This is a 22-month fixed term contract to the end of September 2027, with potential to extend

Imagine being part of an organisation whose common purpose is to help those who are severely impacted by mental illness. We believe that everyone should be treated with respect and dignity – and that’s why equity is one of our core values. We draw on the expertise, unique perspectives and lived experience of our people – regardless of who they are or their background – to help us become inclusive and anti-racist employer, campaigning organisation and service provider that reflect the diverse communities we support as a mental health charity.

Policy and Practice work towards our corporate strategy objectives by elevating the voices of lived experience and diverse communities to influence system change and ensuring it is then delivered on the ground for people severely affected by mental illness.

How you will make a difference

The Strategic Communications Manager will shape and deliver the communications strategy for a landmark, mental health partnership. The partnership, funded by the Wellcome Trust, brings together over 20 leading mental health organisations in a coordinated effort to push mental health up the political agenda and drive transformational change in UK mental health care. The role will support the Influencing Partnership Strategic Lead, hosted at [Employer hidden — view at passion-project.co.uk], and comms colleagues across the sector to deliver this.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion

*Diversity is important to us and we appreciate difference through difference, inclusiveness and belonging. It gives us a deeper understanding of the world, our society and the diverse communities we’re working with. By including everyone, we are able to draw on the unique experiences and expertise of our people to help shape and enrich our workplace and improve our services. One way we are doing is through our valued staff networks which play a critical and highly valued role in keeping us focused on creating a diverse, inclusive and engaged employer.****We recognise and support staff networks and support groups for our ethnically diverse and LGBTQIA+ colleagues. We are also proud to have been awarded Disability Confident Employer status* *and are a signatory to the Business in the Community Race at Work Charter.***

*We aim for our workforce to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve; for those who work for us to feel heard, valued and feel they belong; and for our work to help tackle wider mental health inequalities. We therefore actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including applicants with lived experience of mental illness, those who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual and any other gender identity not expressed here (LGBTQIA+); people who are neurodiverse, have a health condition, or a disability or hidden disability and people from an ethnically diverse background - regardless of your age, religious or spiritual belief, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, political view or socio-economic status.*

Becoming a truly anti-racist organisation

*We have an ambition of become a truly anti-racist employer, campaigning organisation and service provider -**and in our efforts to influence policy and wider societal factors impacting on mental health set out in our*[*anti-racist statement*](https://www.rethink.org/aboutus/who-we-are/becoming-an-anti-racist-organisation/anti-racism-statement/)***.* *We have designed a multi-year anti-racist programme of work contained in our*[*Race Equality Action Plan*](https://indd.adobe.com/view/0630dbfe-57ad-47ef-a5be-a374ab206e3c)*which demonstrates our intention to hold ourselves accountable and be judged on our progress on becoming a truly anti-racist organisation. You can read more about our progress* [*here*](https://www.rethink.org/aboutus/who-we-are/becoming-an-anti-racist-organisation/)*.***

If you have any questions about the position, please contact - [[contact hidden]](mailto:[contact hidden])

Our Charity

Our work to achieve this is guided by seven core values:

• Commitment
• Equity
• Expertise
• Hope
• Openness
• Passion
• Understanding​

What do we value?

Passion

We are passionate about leading the way to a better quality of life for everyone severely affected by mental illness.

Commitment

We work tirelessly to provide support for everyone severely affected by mental illness.

Openness

We are open and transparent in all our work with beneficiaries, supporters, partners and the public to achieve change for people severely affected by mental illness.

Hope

We offer hope of a better quality of life for all those severely affected by mental illness.

Expertise

We constantly use our expertise to provide practical and personal support for people who are severely affected by mental illness.

Understanding

People who are severely affected by mental illness are at the heart of everything we do in our organisation – our membership, our governance and our workforce.

Equity

We believe that in a world where discrimination and disadvantage exist, treating people with equity is critical to ensure justice and fairness for all.

Openness

We are open and transparent in all our work with beneficiaries, supporters, partners and the public to achieve change for people severely affected by mental illness.

What will you receive?

You will have plenty of opportunities to enhance your abilities with the opportunity to make a real difference every day. In addition, you will have excellent development opportunities including funded training, career development, and a range of e-learning courses. You will also receive:

Employer funded pension

Flexible working

Life assurance

Employee Assistance Programme

Eyecare vouchers

up to £55 towards the cost of new glasses or lenses

Training opportunities

e-learning courses & much more

Annual leave

25 days rising to 30, plus bank holidays

Rethink day

1 day’s additional leave (pro rata) on your Birthday

PULSE

Reward, Benefits and Recognition Platform

Employee Assistance Programme

Rethink day

1 day’s additional leave (pro rata) on your Birthday

For the full list, see our website [here](https://www.rethink.org/aboutus/what-we-do/work-with-us/employee-benefits/).

Our colleagues say

“From the very start I was made to feel welcome and respected in my new team. In the short time I have been working with [Employer hidden] as a service administrator I have been able to contribute ideas and make meaningful change, and I appreciate that Rethink allows me to direct my own role development and help me build on the skills I want to work on.”

“Working for [Employer hidden] is the most rewarding job I could ask for. As a Peer and Volunteer Co-ordinator I get to work with a huge variety of people, with a range of skills and support them to incorporate those skills into their volunteering roles. I am always looking for gaps that need filling and creating new and exciting opportunities that will benefit our service, mental health in the community, but most importantly the people giving up their time to help.”

*Please be mindful that we may need to close adverts early if we receive a high volume of applications, we, therefore, encourage you to apply as soon as possible.*