Head of Communications
Role Purpose
This is an exciting opportunity to shape the voice and public profile of one of the UK’s most impactful social justice charities. As Head of Communications, you’ll lead our communications function at a strategic level, inspiring and influencing how we share our story with the world. You’ll craft and deliver bold, creative, and inclusive communications that raise awareness of Pact’s work and help us achieve our ambitious goals. From digital campaigns and media relations to powerful storytelling and brand development, you’ll ensure our voice is clear, compelling, and deeply rooted in the lived experiences of those we serve. As a key member of the Executive Team, you will also play a vital role in shaping the overall strategic direction of the organisation, leading organisation-wide projects and championing a culture of open, values-driven communication.
Key Responsibilities
• You will provide strategic leadership for all communications activity across the charity, working closely with colleagues to develop and deliver multidisciplinary communications plans that support corporate objectives. You will be responsible for evaluating communications performance, reporting against KPIs, and using data to drive improvement. You’ll play a key role in horizon-scanning and forward planning, ensuring our messaging is proactive and responsive to external developments.
• You’ll oversee all of Pact’s digital platforms, including our social media channels and websites, as well as those for the Prisoners’ Families Helpline. You will lead the creation and delivery of compelling content to engage and grow our audiences, ensuring a dynamic and consistent presence across both organic and paid-for channels.
• Marketing and branding will be central to your remit. You’ll lead the development of high-quality, accessible and inclusive marketing materials and publications that inspire and inform stakeholders, staff, volunteers and service users. You’ll ensure the organisation maintains a strong and coherent visual and written identity, and you’ll manage a library of media assets and case studies that bring our work to life. You will also offer trusted support and guidance to colleagues and volunteers promoting Pact’s services locally.
• A core part of the role will involve amplifying the voices of people with lived experience. You’ll oversee the regular generation of powerful case studies and service user stories to be shared across internal and external channels, always ensuring ethical and inclusive storytelling.
• You’ll also contribute to the planning and promotion of key organisational events, including staff and volunteer gatherings, stakeholder roundtables and receptions.
• Ultimately, you will be the guardian of the Pact brand and the leader of our communications culture – someone who empowers others, inspires creativity, and champions clear, compassionate communication at every level.
Person Specification
• You will have significant experience in a senior communications, PR or marketing leadership role, with a proven ability to develop and evaluate impactful strategies. You’ll be an exceptional communicator with a keen eye for storytelling and audience engagement, and you’ll have experience managing digital platforms and growing audiences through content innovation.
• Strong leadership and team management skills are essential, as is a collaborative, facilitative approach that brings out the best in others. You’ll need to be a confident relationship-builder, able to influence at senior levels and build trust with stakeholders, media, and partners.
• Ideally, you will bring experience or understanding of the voluntary, criminal justice or social justice sectors. A strong grasp of inclusive communication and accessibility standards is highly desirable, along with an ethical approach to storytelling that respects and amplifies lived experience.
How to apply:
Please note - interviews will be conducted during the final week of August and the first week of September, 2025.
If you feel that you meet the requirements of this exciting new role please complete an application form by clicking the 'apply now' button.
* We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
Other information:
Pact (the Prison Advice & Care Trust) is a pioneering national charity that provides caring and life changing services to men and women in prison, to people with convictions on release and in the community, and to their children and families.
As an inclusive employer, we welcome requests for job adverts and descriptions in accessible formats (for e.g. larger text) for candidates with disabilities, including those with neurodiversity. Please contact us if you require any support in engaging in our recruitment process.
Location: Two days a week in Central Office (Wandsworth / Wormwood Scrubs) with regular travel across England & Wales
Department Marketing and Communications
Job Type: Full time, 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £46,225 per annum + £3,000 market supplement
Benefits: Generous Holiday allowance Season Ticket loan Cycle to work scheme Charity worker discounts Enhanced maternity package Wellness, inclusion, and diversity groups EAP scheme Life assurance
You may also have experience in the following: Communications Officer, Media Manager, PR, Public Relations, Public Relations Officer, Communications Manager, Marketing Communications, Campaign Manager, Project Management, Charity, Third Sector, Charities, NFP, Not for Profit, etc.
REF-(Apply online only)