Communications Manager - Strategic Partnerships

Communications Manager - Strategic Partnerships

Location: London, UK. UK hybrid working - a minimum of 40% of working time is spent face‑to‑face (London office, external meetings or travel). 60/40 hybrid working at WaterAid means roughly three days wherever you work best and two days together in person.

Salary: £44,168 - £46,493 with excellent benefits

Change starts with water. Change starts with you.

Every day, millions of people live without clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. WaterAid exists to change that - for everyone, everywhere. Join us, and your energy will help unlock people’s potential and create a fairer future.

About WaterAid

We’re a global federation driven by one vision: a world where everyone, everywhere has clean water, sanitation and hygiene by 2030. Powered by our values of Respect, Accountability, Courage, Collaboration, Integrity and Innovation, we work alongside communities, partners and supporters to make change happen.

About the team

The Brand and Strategic Communications team is a strategic, collaborative and creative function focussed on driving WaterAid’s advocacy, engagement and fundraising objectives. We lead the development of brand and communications strategies to inspire audiences and support organisational goals, working closely with colleagues across the Communications and Fundraising directorate and with external partners.

About the role

As our communications Manager, you will manage the delivery of communications strategies for corporate partnerships working closely with WaterAid’s Communications and Fundraising directorate and key partners to drive sustainable change.

In this role, you will:

• Manage the delivery of WaterAid’s corporate partnership marketing communications strategy to maximise influence and income‑raising potential from the private sector.
• Lead a cross‑functional delivery group and collaborate across WaterAid’s Communications and Fundraising directorate to deliver integrated corporate advocacy and partner communications activities, primarily targeting a private sector audience.
• Act as the primary communications contact for partnership managers, advising on communications opportunities, strategic messaging, content and tactics that deliver value for WaterAid and partners.
• Champion insight‑led and on‑brand messaging and creative which resonates with target audiences.
• Advise on best use of project budget to meet objectives.
• Monitor and evaluate the impact of communications activity, fostering a proactive and positive approach to learning and improvement within delivery teams.
• Champion WaterAid’s commitment to equity, inclusion and safeguarding.

Contract type: Fixed Term (six months) - 35 hours per week

Requirements

• Demonstrable experience in developing, leading and executing high impact communications strategies for corporate partnerships, ideally for a non‑profit organisation.
• Expertise in business‑to‑business or corporate advocacy communications, and an understanding of trends in corporate sustainability and social responsibility.
• Experience working in, or in partnership with, the private sector, advising on communications approaches to engage a range of audiences and delivering communications plans with shared objectives.
• Highly collaborative and able to build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent time management skills, able to drive projects forward while navigating competing priorities.
• Ability to generate and develop creative and innovative ideas, with a good eye for brand, design, film and photography.

Preferred qualifications

• Experience of international development issues and/or working in the voluntary sector in a communications role.
• An understanding of the ethical issues surrounding communications for international development.

View the full job description here

Closing date: Applications close 12:00 PM UK time on Friday 6th March. Interviews may be scheduled on a rolling basis, and the role may close earlier if a suitable candidate is found.

How to apply: Click Apply to complete the pre‑screening questions and upload your CV only.

Can I use Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in my application?

At WaterAid, we strongly advise against using AI technology at any stage of the recruitment process. Our goal is to ensure a fair and transparent process that provides every applicant with an equal opportunity to succeed. We value hearing about your unique experiences and perspectives in your application, and, if shortlisted, during the interview as well.

Pre‑employment screening

To apply for this role, you must be able to demonstrate your eligibility to work in the respective country. All pre‑employment checks will be carried out according to local law and WaterAid’s Safer Recruitment policy. All UK based roles require a basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Benefits

• 36 days’ holiday (including 8 Bank Holidays)
• Option to buy an extra 5 days’ annual leave
• Employer pension contribution up to 10%
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
• Season ticket loan
• Free annual eye tests
• ‘Give as you Earn’ charitable giving scheme
• Enhanced parental leave (maternity, adoption/surrogacy, shared parental and paternity)
• Sabbaticals
• One paid volunteer day each year

As part of our annual leave policy, all employees receive three additional days of annual leave on top of their standard allocation of 25 days. These days are designated to cover the period when our UK office closes between Christmas and New Year, allowing all UK WaterAiders to take a well‑deserved break.

These days are automatically scheduled and cannot be changed or moved. Annual leave is accrued based on your start date. If sufficient leave has not been accrued by the time of the closure, the 3 days will be taken as unpaid leave or pro‑rated, depending on your circumstances.

Our Global Commitment

Our people promise

We will work with passion and focus to make sure everyone everywhere has clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. WaterAid is a place of purpose – where people have a real commitment and shared responsibility for the impact we have. We are a global community with diverse backgrounds and perspectives, motivated by inspiring, stimulating work. We are determined to be a place where people feel safe and able to contribute their voice and truly live our values.

Equal Opportunities

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, beliefs, customs, traditions, ways of life and status. This includes, but is not limited to, race, ethnicity, caste, colour, gender, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth, disability status, neurodiversity, age, marital and family status, sexual orientation and gender identity, health status, place of residence, economic and social situation.

Safeguarding

We are committed to protecting everyone we come into contact with. We have a zero‑tolerance approach to abuse of power, privilege or trust across our global work, and to any form of inappropriate behaviour, discrimination, abuse, bullying, harassment, or exploitation. Safeguarding the people and communities we work with, our staff, volunteers and anyone working on our behalf is our top priority, and we take our responsibilities extremely seriously. All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks (which can include counterterrorism, safeguarding and criminal records checks).

Together, we’ll change the world through water.

Join us and be part of the change!

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