Impact Senior Impact and Community Manager (Applications now closed)

Contract: Permanent contract / 37.5 hours/week (we will consider requests for flexible and/or part-time working)

Salary: £46.5k – £52k + benefits, depending on experience

Location: Hybrid working between Paddington, London and remote. 

Reporting to: Senior Director of Impact

Direct reports: None

Please note that all applicants must have the unrestricted right to live and work in the UK without sponsorship.

Window for applications is now closed.

Impact Manager (Applications now closed)

Contract: Permanent contract / 37.5 hours/week (we will consider requests for flexible and/or part-time working)

Salary: £38-£43k + benefits, depending on experience

Location: Hybrid working between Paddington, London and remote. 

Reporting to: Head of Impact

Direct reports: None

Window for applications is now closed.

Digital Communications Executive |
Part-time (Applications now closed)

Contract: Permanent contract / 30 hours/week (we will consider requests for flexible working)

Salary: £31k – £37k + benefits, depending on experience

Location: Hybrid working between Paddington, London and remote. 

Reporting to: Head of Communications

Direct reports: None

Window for applications is now closed.

Big Change’s vision is to see a society where all young people are set up to thrive in life, not just exams. As a charity based in the UK, we act as a catalyst to transform education and learning. We work in partnership to understand, advocate for and unlock support for transformation, working at the grassroots and the grasstops, locally, nationally and globally.

We are currently focused on three areas of work to achieve impact, in addition to fundraising: The Big Education Challenge – a £1m prize fund to support and reward bold ideas with the potential to transform education and learning in the UK, and the Big Education Conversation, which supports inclusive conversations about the purpose of education in order to shape a new vision and ideas for change both in England and 10 countries around the world. We are also shaping A New Education Story by generating insights and convening leaders focused on transforming education systems through shifts in purpose, power and practice.

Big Change is a small, collaborative and supportive team of around 15 people. 100% of our team believe their work has a positive impact on well-being and society. We set clear expectations and celebrate the successes of teams and individuals. Have a read of what our team members have to say about working at Big Change here.

Overview of our benefits:

• Annual personal development plan and L&D allowance
• Cycle to Work and Season Ticket Loan schemes
• Flexible working
• Free lunch and snacks! (when in the office)
• Pension scheme with up to 5% matched by Big Change
• Monthly phone allowance
• Generous annual leave allowance
• 3 x Volunteer days per year
• As we have been incubated by the Virgin Group, Big Change employees receive access to a range of Virgin Group benefits (access to deals and discounts across the Virgin Group and beyond), internal events as well as additional learning and development opportunities.

We recognise that with great ambition comes the need for great people and we are looking for someone to shape, lead, grow and manage the community of leaders and changemakers that Big Change supports through its funding. This is a new and exciting role in an ever-important area of our work, and we are seeking someone with significant relevant experience who combines a strategic, creative mindset, with a collaborative and “dot-joining” approach, and an ability to develop and deliver effectively on plans. There is potential to shape the role itself and this area of work alongside colleagues and in line with Big Change’s approach and impact goals. 

This new role has the potential for significant impact, within and beyond the organisation. The responsibilities and tasks will be varied, so we are looking for someone who is versatile and thrives in a small organisation where adaptability and a proactive approach are required. We are looking for someone who is interested in the needs of changemakers and can build relationships with a range of individuals, and who has high levels of organisation and communication skills, alongside excellent attention to detail.  

Throughout your time with us we will ensure that we provide an excellent opportunity to further your knowledge and understanding as part of a small, close-knit team that is committed to making big change in the world.

Context

Being an entrepreneur, innovator, or changemaker can be lonely, no matter what field or sector you’re in. At Big Change we know that great things happen when you build connections, trust and relationships, and enable people to learn together. The purpose of the role is to oversee the development of a new community approach and offer, focusing on  the changemakers and leaders that Big Change supports. This is work that has evolved over the last ten years of backing leaders of early-stage projects (our “alumni” include the leaders of Frontline, Voice 21, and The Difference) and is now growing with the Finalists of our Big Education Challenge. 

There is great power in the collective and growing the community of those leading transformation is integral to Big Change’s approach and impact in the long term. Working alongside these leaders, there is great potential for this new role to learn from and connect-up our communities of change-makers and supporters: from the global insight community through which we learn about transformation, to those who donate and make our work possible. Highlights of our work in this area include:

• Since 2012, Big Change has identified and backed the leaders of 60 ideas and projects.
• Since 2021, we have catalysed the Big Education Conversation across England and in 35 countries.
• Our Strive community of donors has collectively raised £8m for Big Change.
• Our global insight community spans 60 organisations across 26 countries

Since 2022, Big Change has facilitated the Catalysts Learning Alliance, a group of 9 organisations from diverse global contexts all leading education transformation.  

The Team

The Senior Impact and Community Manager will work closely with our Head of Impact and Senior Director of Impact, as well as the Impact Team and across the rest of the organisation in support of shared learning and integration.

Growing and supporting a community of leaders and changemakers

• Finalise the design of a new community approach and offer in line with our theory of change. This will include shaping and building upon current work and insight.
• Test out and implement new activities and opportunities, which will include planning and delivering a high-value and high-impact programme of “events” (TBD) that build connections within and beyond the community, enable trust and relationships, as well as shared learning and insight.
• Identify, share and apply learning in order to develop and improve the approach and offer in line with the evolving needs of the community.
• Identify and work in partnership with external organisations in support of the above, as well as collaborating across the Big Change team. 

Understanding the community

• Undertake ongoing research, within and beyond Big Change, to build an understanding of how to grow and support communities of leaders in support of system transformation. 
• Clearly identify and define Big Change’s community of leaders and changemakers, with attention to their similarities and differences, needs and ambitions.
• Map the community of leaders and changemakers in order to track engagement and impact and iterate the approach.
• Help develop a team-wide understanding of our different communities and how to create connections between that can amplify insight and impact.

Relationships and communication 

• Establish meaningful and sustained relationships within and across the community, identifying thoughtful strategies and practical, co-ordinated actions that can be tested and adapted over time.
• Develop a coordinated engagement plan that involves the input and activity of the wider team, and joins up opportunities and impact.
• Refine and implement, with support from the wider team, a calendar of high-quality, high-value communications with the community in line with the wider approach.
• Use appropriate tools, including our CRM system, to effectively capture and track relationships and communication.

Impact and learning

• Contribute to the development of our impact framework and help establish clear and appropriate outcomes and metrics for the growth of the community, linked to our theory of change.
• Establish the tools and resources needed to track, understand and report on impact in the short, medium and long term. This should include working with the wider team to establish ways to learn from and evaluate the community offer, and include feedback from community members to inform design, future opportunities and improvements.
• Connect to other similar or related communities, especially in the UK, in order to learn and continually grow the impact of this area of work and help ensure Big Change’s resources are spent most effectively. 
• Work with the wider team, especially within marcomms, to identify and create coherent and compelling stories that capture the impact of our support for the community.

Resourcing and organisation-wide responsibilities

• Contribute effectively to team and organisation-wide planning and budgeting processes, including developing OKRs and developing/taking an agile approach to project management.
• Maintain and monitor a budget for your area of work, in line with budget management guidelines and with leadership oversight.
• Undertake learning and development in support of your role, personal development and Big Change’s work. 
• Identify and manage the internal and external resources needed to deliver on your area of work, including managing partner relationships in order to meet shared goals.

Required

• Aligned with and committed to Big Change’s role as a catalyst for transformation in education and our vision to set all young people up to thrive in life, not just exams.
• Proven experience within one or more relevant roles in the education and learning or a related sector. 
• Good understanding of the UK education system and an interest in or understanding of system change.
• Experience of designing and delivering impactful work in two or more of the following areas: community management or organising, network facilitation and management, youth engagement and participation, communications and storytelling, service design or innovation processes, design and delivery of engaging events and experiences, communities of practice or other peer learning approaches.
• Experience of managing effective internal and external relationships and partnerships with a variety of people and organisations.
• Experience of understanding, tracking and communicating impact within one or more different areas of work.
• Excellent and engaging communicator, with strong interpersonal and listening skills and an inclusive approach.
• Combine a strategic and creative mindset with the ability to problem solve and work pragmatically and proactively within a small team.

• Take a collaborative and “dot-joining” approach, shaping and delivering on plans with colleagues and partners. 
• Be comfortable with complexity and working through ambiguity to identify potential solutions, testing and learning as you go. 
• Have a learning and inquisitive disposition, asking questions, looking outside for inspiration and seeking challenge and feedback. 

• Strong, agile project management skills, and experience of overseeing, managing and monitoring budget and resources.
• Be a great organiser with an eye for detail and the ability to prioritise work and juggle multiple things at once.
• A willingness to jump in and help with anything and everything as part of a dynamic team.

Desirable

• Experience of working with and alongside young people to design or deliver projects. 
• Lived experience in any areas of our work.

How to apply

If you’re inspired by what we do, and have the skills and experience to take on this role, please contact us on jobs@big-change.org with:

• Your CV 
• A cover note (no more than 1 side of A4) letting us know why this is the role for you. 
• Please also complete this short Diversity, Equity and Inclusion monitoring form 

Please note that all applicants must have the unrestricted right to live and work in the UK without sponsorship.

Accessibility

We are keen to ensure that all of our opportunities are accessible to everyone, so if you have any specific circumstances or accessibility requirements which prevent you from completing an application online, please contact us by email at jobs@big-change.org and we’d be happy to help.

Disability Confident

Big Change is a Disability Confident employer and in line with this will interview any applicant that meets the minimum criteria for the role, if a disability is disclosed (at the applicants discretion). Please highlight in your supporting statement if you wish to be considered under this scheme. 

Approach to Diversity 

We aim to put diversity, equity and inclusion at the heart of everything we do, from the young people and project partners we work with to the way we behave and operate as a charity and to the people we bring into the organisation. We welcome applications from people of any gender, disability, age, sexual orientation, race or religion and belief, and particularly from people with diverse backgrounds, those who have overcome challenging experiences or with lived experience in any areas of our work.

Read more about our commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion here

Big Change is a UK based charity, supported by a global and local network of allies. Our vision is to see society working together so that all young people are set up to thrive in life, not just exams.

We act as a catalyst for transformation focused on long-term system changes to education and learning. We do this by focusing on three main areas of impact work:

1. The Big Education Challenge
   A £1m prize fund backing early stage ideas with the potential to transform education and learning in the UK.
2. A New Education Story
   Generating insight and learning from different contexts to drive transformation and not reform.
3. Big Education Conversation
   A public listening exercise focused on inclusive conversations about the purpose of education.

Big Change is a small, collaborative and supportive team of around 15 people. 100% of our team believe their work has a positive impact on well-being and society. We set clear expectations and celebrate the successes of teams and individuals. Have a read of what our team members have to say about working at Big Change here.

Overview of our benefits:

• Annual personal development plan and L&D allowance
• Cycle to Work and Season Ticket Loan schemes
• Flexible working
• Free lunch and snacks! (when in the office)
• Pension scheme with up to 5% matched by Big Change
• Monthly phone allowance
• Generous annual leave allowance
• 3 x Volunteer days per year
• As we have been incubated by the Virgin Group, Big Change employees receive access to a range of Virgin Group benefits (access to deals and discounts across the Virgin Group and beyond), internal events as well as additional learning and development opportunities.

Digital Communications Executive | Part-time (Applications now closed)

Contract: Permanent contract / 30 hours/week (we will consider requests for flexible working)

Salary: £31k – £37k + benefits, depending on experience

Location: Hybrid working between Paddington, London and remote. 

Reporting to: Head of Communications

Direct reports: None

Applications are now closed

We recognise that with great ambition comes the need for great people and we are looking for someone to manage the creation and delivery of digital communications across the websites, social media channels, and newsletters at Big Change and support the Head of Communications in delivering the organisational communications plan.

We are entering an exciting new phase of growth within the team and the end of our first year delivering the Big Education Challenge. This role is well-suited to a versatile person who will thrive in a small organisation where a proactive approach is valued.

You will have experience working in digital marketing and communications and be willing to question and learn about the best way to do things.

You will be passionate about all things digital comms, have good relationship building skills, and feel excited by the prospect of building trusted relationships with our team and external networks.

Throughout your time with us we will ensure that we provide an excellent opportunity to further your knowledge and understanding as part of a small, close-knit team that is committed to making big change in the world.

The Team

The Digital Communications Executive will work closely with and report to our Head of Communications. Working as a team of two, your day to day work will see you both working directly with our internal team, in particular our Impact and Development teams. You’ll also be working with a small network of external communications agencies, web developers and freelancers.

• Work closely with the Head of Communications to create and coordinate digital content. 
• Write content and create visual assets to demonstrate the impact of Big Change’s partnerships, inspire key audiences to engage with Big Change, and build the credibility of Big Change as a key player working to transform education and learning in the UK.
• Work closely with the Head of Communications on a social media content calendar, and create digital assets including video, for all Big Change’s digital channels. 
• Work with the Head of Communications to advise on and develop the effectiveness of all Big Change’s digital communications across social media, website, and email in order to engage key stakeholders and build awareness of Big Change’s mission. 
• Be the go to person for the latest developments in digital communications and advise the Big Change team on best practice (including accessibility and SEO). 

• Deliver paid for digital marketing activities when required, including social media.

• Work with the Head of Communications to draft and create Big Change’s monthly newsletter on Mailchimp.
• Ensure the website is kept up to date and work closely with Big Change’s website agency.
• Build strong relationships across the Big Change team, and with key stakeholders, including liaising with Holly Branson’s social media team.  

Other

• Other duties may be reasonably allocated by the leadership team or Board of Trustees, from time to time.

Skills and Competencies

• Using website/CMS system
• Using Hootsuite (or equivalent), Mailchimp (or equivalent) and GA4
• Copywriting skills
• Video, and graphic design skills using Canva, and other applications
• Using analytics to improve and influence comms strategy
• Best practice using brand guidelines to design and create digital content
• Developing paid for social media campaigns
• Overseeing editorial production and video production
• Tailoring complex information into audience-led communications, with experience of working in organisations focused on systems change.

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

• Using digital analytics to understand audience insights.

• Developing and optimising user experience and journeys on websites.
• Experience of working with website developers and knowledge of website hosting and infrastructure.
• Experienced at developing and designing content, both images and video, for the web and social media platforms.
• Experience of working with website content management systems (CMS).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong creative and design skills.
• Resourceful with a can do approach.

Desirable

• Knowledge of the education sector.
• Experience of PPC campaigns (notably Google Ads)
• Experience in creating and managing paid-for social ad campaigns, Google analytics, and social media platforms.
• Working in a small organisation and delivering projects across teams.
• Confident at delivering projects. 

How to apply

If you’re inspired by what we do, and have the skills and experience to take on this role, please contact us on jobs@big-change.org with:

• Your CV 
• A cover note (no more than 1 side of A4) letting us know why this is the role for you. 
• Please also complete this short Diversity, Equity and Inclusion monitoring form 

Accessibility

We are keen to ensure that all of our opportunities are accessible to everyone, so if you have any specific circumstances or accessibility requirements which prevent you from completing an application online, please contact us by email at jobs@big-change.org and we’d be happy to help.

Disability Confident

Big Change is a Disability Confident employer and in line with this will interview any applicant that meets the minimum criteria for the role, if a disability is disclosed (at the applicants discretion). Please highlight in your supporting statement if you wish to be considered under this scheme. 

Approach to Diversity 

We aim to put diversity, equity and inclusion at the heart of everything we do, from the young people and project partners we work with to the way we behave and operate as a charity and to the people we bring into the organisation. We welcome applications from people of any gender, disability, age, sexual orientation, race or religion and belief, and particularly from people with diverse backgrounds, those who have overcome challenging experiences or with lived experience in any areas of our work.

Read more about our commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion here

Big Change’s vision is to see a society where all young people are set up to thrive in life, not just exams. As a charity based in the UK, we act as a catalyst to transform education and learning. We work in partnership to understand, advocate for and unlock support for transformation, working at the grassroots and the grasstops, locally, nationally and globally.

We are currently focused on three areas of work to achieve impact, in addition to fundraising: The Big Education Challenge – a £1m prize fund to support and reward bold ideas with the potential to transform education and learning in the UK, and the Big Education Conversation, which supports inclusive conversations about the purpose of education in order to shape a new vision and ideas for change both in England and 10 countries around the world. We are also shaping A New Education Story by generating insights and convening leaders focused on transforming education systems through shifts in purpose, power and practice.

Big Change is a small, collaborative and supportive team of around 15 people. 100% of our team believe their work has a positive impact on well-being and society. We set clear expectations and celebrate the successes of teams and individuals. Have a read of what our team members have to say about working at Big Change here.

Overview of our benefits:

• Annual personal development plan and L&D allowance
• Cycle to Work and Season Ticket Loan schemes
• Flexible working
• Free lunch and snacks! (when in the office)
• Pension scheme with up to 5% matched by Big Change
• Monthly phone allowance
• Generous annual leave allowance
• 3 x Volunteer days per year
• As we have been incubated by the Virgin Group, Big Change employees receive access to a range of Virgin Group benefits (access to deals and discounts across the Virgin Group and beyond), internal events as well as additional learning and development opportunities.

Impact Manager (Applications now closed)

Contract: Permanent contract / 37.5 hours/week (we will consider requests for flexible and/or part-time working)

Salary: £38-£43k + benefits, depending on experience

Location: Hybrid working between Paddington, London and remote. 

Reporting to: Head of Impact

Direct reports: None

Applications are now closed

Role Summary

We recognise that with great ambition comes the need for great people and we are looking for someone to play a central role in managing our grant funding, how we track and monitor its progress and support Big Change’s community of changemakers. 

The purpose of the role is to manage and uphold high quality funding processes, so that we can continue to back bold ideas with the potential to transform education so that all young people are set up to thrive in life and not just in exams. The way we work, fund and develop a community of change-makers is guided by the principles of trust based philanthropy and Big Change’s recent work on uniting generations and sharing power to transform education.

This role is well-suited to a versatile person who will thrive in a small organisation where adaptability and a proactive approach are valued. As we enter an exciting new phase of growth within the team and the end of our first year delivering the Big Education Challenge, working closely with our Head of Impact who is our strategic lead on impact and funding, the role will be required to both deliver on existing plans and strategies, as well as shape work to respond to learning and emergent needs.

You will be a strong project manager and willing to question and learn about the best way to do things. You will be comfortable picking up new subject areas and digesting many inputs to improve our practices as a grantmaker and as a catalyst for positive change. You will also have excellent relationship building skills, and are excited by the prospect of building trusted relationships with Big Change’s grantees and applicants.

Throughout your time with us we will ensure that we provide an excellent opportunity to further your knowledge and understanding as part of a small, close-knit team that is committed to making big change in the world.

The Team

The Impact Manager will work in the Impact team, reporting to our Head of Impact, as well as providing support across the Impact Team, which currently consists of 5 core team members and a small network of external associates.

Required

• Aligned with Big Change’s role as a catalyst for change and our mission to set all young people up to thrive in life, not just in exams
• Previous experience in grants management or similar role
• Excellent attention to detail and be a great communicator
• Excellent organisational and relational skills, with experience in a similar position
• Take a learning disposition and ask questions, especially when doing new things and taking on feedback
• Ability to work as part of a high-performing team but equally confident working independently, out and about in your area of work

• Strong problem-solving capabilities, coupled with a strategic mindset
• Proven experience of strong project management skills and a proactive approach

• Strong problem-solving capabilities, coupled with a strategic mindset
• Proven experience of strong project management skills and a proactive approach
• Ability to create, manage and adapt complex project plans
• Excitement for and understanding that we work within a changing environment embracing the ambiguity by testing and learning what works for Big Change

Desirable

• Previous experience working in education, youth sector, system change and/or similar dynamic environments
• Familiarity with the UK education system, policy environment and wider ecosystem of organisations supporting change
• Lived experience in any areas of our work

How to apply

If you’re inspired by what we do, and have the skills and experience to take on this role, please contact us on jobs@big-change.org with:

• Your CV 
• A cover note (no more than 1 side of A4) letting us know why this is the role for you. 
• Please also complete this short Diversity, Equity and Inclusion monitoring form 

Accessibility

We are keen to ensure that all of our opportunities are accessible to everyone, so if you have any specific circumstances or accessibility requirements which prevent you from completing an application online, please contact us by email at jobs@big-change.org and we’d be happy to help.

Disability Confident

Big Change is a Disability Confident employer and in line with this will interview any applicant that meets the minimum criteria for the role, if a disability is disclosed (at the applicants discretion). Please highlight in your supporting statement if you wish to be considered under this scheme. 

Approach to Diversity 

We aim to put diversity, equity and inclusion at the heart of everything we do, from the young people and project partners we work with to the way we behave and operate as a charity and to the people we bring into the organisation. We welcome applications from people of any gender, disability, age, sexual orientation, race or religion and belief, and particularly from people with diverse backgrounds, those who have overcome challenging experiences or with lived experience in any areas of our work.

Read more about our commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion here