Job Role

The Press & Communications Manager plays a central role in shaping and amplifying the voice of the Centre for Young Lives. Reporting to the Director of Communications and Strategy, you will lead proactive and reactive media activity, delivering high-impact strategies that raise awareness, influence policy debates, and secure high-quality coverage.

You will develop compelling narratives from complex policy, research, and data, ensuring they connect with priority audiences across national, regional, and digital media.  

Working closely with colleagues across the organisation, you will identify opportunities, produce standout content, and brief senior leaders for media engagement.

About the Centre for Young Lives

Founded by Baroness Anne Longfield, a former Children’s Commissioner for England, the Centre for Young Lives exists to tackle systemic barriers and create better futures for children and young people.

We want this country to be the best place to grow up and bring up children. We work with national and local leaders to remove barriers to opportunity and deliver innovative, evidence-led solutions that create lasting change. Our approach is rooted in collaboration, systems thinking, and amplifying the voices of children and young people.

What You’ll Do

• Develop and deliver media strategies that drive impactful coverage

• Build strong relationships with journalists and media stakeholders

• Secure high-quality coverage across print, broadcast, and digital channels

• Create compelling content, including social media/digital content, press releases, briefings, and opinion pieces

• Deliver integrated campaigns to maximise reach and influence

• Translate complex policy and research into clear, engaging narratives

• Manage media enquiries and brief senior spokespeople

• Monitor performance and use insights to strengthen impact

• Support crisis communications and issues management

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for a driven and purpose-led communications professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is motivated to make a meaningful impact for children and young people. You will bring strong news instinct and creativity, with the ability to spot and shape compelling stories quickly and effectively.

You are a confident and credible communicator, comfortable advising senior leaders and representing the organisation with external stakeholders. You remain calm under pressure, exercising sound judgement in high-profile or time-sensitive situations.

Collaborative by nature, you build strong relationships across teams and with external stakeholders, while staying adaptable and agile as priorities shift. Above all, you bring energy, determination, and a ‘can-do’ mindset, and you are relentlessly focused on securing impactful media coverage and driving positive change.

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a mission-driven organisation tackling systemic barriers for young people

• Help shape national conversations on social innovation and systems change through evidence and insight

• Deliver meaningful, lasting improvements to outcomes for children and young people in local communities

As part of the package, you will also benefit from:

• A pension scheme, offering 7% employer contribution

• A generous holiday allowance, starting at 25 days per year (plus 8 Bank Holidays)

• Flexible, hybrid working arrangements

• Family-friendly policies that support wellbeing

How to Apply

If this sounds like you, please send the following to Recruitment@centreforyounglives.org.uk:  

• A CV (maximum of two pages)  

• A supporting statement setting out:  

1. Why you are interested in this role  
2. How you meet the Essential Person Specification within the Job Description

Closing date: Tuesday 14th July (23:59)  

Interviews: Wednesday 22^nd July (Please note this is subject to change)

Start date: Immediate

This role may close early if the right candidate is found, so early applications are encouraged.

We actively encourage applications from people of all ethnic backgrounds and from underrepresented groups. We are committed to building a diverse team that brings a wide range of perspectives and experiences, and we particularly welcome applications from racially marginalised communities.

We encourage applicants to complete our Equality and Diversity Monitoring form. This is anonymous and cannot be linked to your application, and helps us to better understand the diversity of candidates applying to join us.

We expect all staff to undergo appropriate checks, including enhanced DBS checks. Candidates must have the right to work in the UK. The Centre for Young Lives cannot assist with sponsorship or visas.