Communications Manager

UK Men's Sheds Association

Hours
35 hours per week

Salary
£35,000 - £45,000 per year

About the Organisation

We are UK Men’s Sheds Association, the support body for Men’s Sheds across the UK. We work hard to inspire and support the development of as many Men’s Sheds as possible, for the benefit of men’s health and wellbeing. We are a member organisation, representing UK-based Men’s Sheds. We raise awareness of the Men’s Sheds movement and the many benefits of Shedding, and we support Men’s Sheds in getting off the ground and thriving as community-driven, member-led entities. We don’t own or manage Men’s Sheds, but we champion them for miles around. Our mission is to enable access to a Men’s Shed for every man who would benefit from one, and we won’t stop until we’ve achieved it.

About the role

The Communications Manager plays a vital role in shaping how UK Men’s Sheds Association (UKMSA) communicates, both internally and externally, and with the community at its heart. Operating with a high degree of autonomy and professional expertise, the postholder leads the development and delivery of communication strategies that connect, inform, and inspire. This is not just a messaging role. Rather, it’s about building trust, clarity, and connection across UKMSA communities. Internally, the Communications Manager helps staff feel informed, included, and united across a remote-working environment.

The post holder will coordinate internal communications, shape the tone and culture of how information flows, and ensure the brand is consistently and professionally represented. With volunteers, especially UKMSA’s Ambassadors, the Communications Manager plays a key part in ensuring people feel heard, valued, and kept in the loop, especially during moments of change or challenge. They will work closely with the Head of  Volunteering and the wider team to keep the voices and experiences of Shedders, Sheds, and Shed Networks at the centre of UKMSA’s communications.

Externally, the postholder curates and amplifies the stories, impact, and energy of the Shedding movement. They manage the website and social media channels, support the CEO and Chair in their digital visibility, and respond to external enquiries with professionalism and purpose. This is a mission-driven role that sits at the heart of how UKMSA connects with the world. It requires emotional intelligence, editorial judgement, and a deep appreciation for the unique volunteer-led spirit of the movement. The postholder will be confident working across staff, volunteers, trustees, and media, joining the dots, finding the story, and ensuring communications always reflect UKMSA’s values and community.

Responsibilities

Internal Communications:

• Develop and deliver internal communication approaches that ensure staff across a remote-working environment are kept informed, connected, and engaged.
• Coordinate and facilitate regular team meetings, updates, and communications, including all-sta; briefings, newsletters, and shared messaging.
• Work with the CEO and senior team to plan in-person sta meetings, designing the content, format, and approach so the sessions align with sta and organisational requirements.
• Design and implement mechanisms that foster internal cohesion and trust, drawing on ideas and good practice for remote working teams.
• Work closely with the senior team to ensure that important updates - strategic, operational, or cultural - are communicated in a timely, consistent, and accessible way.
• Uphold and promote a consistent tone of voice across all internal messaging, ensuring that staff understand and reflect UKMSA’s values and identity in how they communicate.
• Working with the Operations Officer, support the creation and internal rollout of branded materials and ensure consistency in logo use, templates, formatting, and professional standards across the organisation.

Community and Organisational Communications:

• Act as a key link between staff, trustees, volunteers (particularly Ambassadors), and other internal stakeholders to ensure information is shared clearly, consistently, and inclusively.
• Collaborate with the Head of Volunteering to ensure that UKMSA’s volunteers are kept informed and involved, particularly during organisational updates, change, and key moments.
• Help embed a culture of openness and two-way communication, ensuring volunteers and trustees feel heard, recognised, and informed, and that their contributions are visible and valued.
• Coordinate messaging across teams so that different groups across UKMSA receive the right information, in the right way, at the right time.
• Support senior leaders in maintaining effective communication with the Board of Trustees, including updates, briefings, and key documents.

External Communications:

• Manage and maintain the UKMSA website and social media channels, working with our external web designer to ensure content is accurate, up to date, and aligned with the organisation’s values and tone.
• Source, shape, and share stories from Shedders, volunteers, and communities to celebrate and amplify the impact of the Shedding movement.
• Lead on the production of UKMSA’s regular newsletter Shoulder2Shoulder, Review and develop the newsletter on a regular basis, in collaboration with staff and volunteers.
• Collaborate with staff and volunteers to collect and develop case studies and lived experience content, and ensure these are shared meaningfully and respectfully.
• Support the Membership Manager and Director of Income and Investments to ensure any promotional activity for external partners is aligned with UKMSA’s communications strategy, delivers clear value, and is proportionate.
• Support the Director of Income and Investments to shape and deliver marketing campaigns and communications aimed at generating income and supporter engagement
• Support the CEO and Chair in their digital communications - drafting content, advising on tone and timing, and increasing the visibility of their leadership voices, in the service of UKMSA.
• Respond to media and external communications queries, draft press releases where appropriate, and act as the first point of contact for general communications enquiries.
• Monitor UKMSA’s external presence and ensure consistency in messaging, tone, and branding across platforms and partners.

Skills, Competencies & Experience

Required:

• Professional communications experience, with a strong track record in planning and delivering internal and external communications in a mission-led or purpose-driven organisation.
• Excellent writing and editing skills, with the ability to tailor tone, structure, and content for different audiences: from staff and volunteers to trustees, partners, and the wider public.
• Confidence leading internal communications across a remote distributed team, including experience developing engaging formats, regular updates, and a shared organisational voice.
• Experience working with or alongside volunteers, trustees, community stakeholders, and a strong appreciation for the importance of inclusive, two-way communication.
• Brand and tone-of-voice awareness, with the ability to maintain consistency and quality across channels, platforms, and contributors.
• Digital confidence, with experience managing websites (WordPress), social media channels, and email communications tools ( Mailchimp), and using them strategically to reach different audiences.
• Storytelling and content development skills, with the ability to source, sensitively shape, and amplify stories that reflect lived experience and community impact.
• Strong organisational and planning skills, able to manage multiple priorities, coordinate with colleagues across teams, and deliver work to deadline with attention to detail.
• Collaborative mindset, with the confidence to influence tone, content, and strategy while also being hands-on in delivery and responsive to others’ needs and input.
• Judgement and discretion, with experience handling sensitive information, managing risk in communications, and supporting senior leaders with professional external representation.
• Genuine connection to UKMSA’s mission, with a respectful, values-led approach that centres the role of volunteers and champions the voice of the Shedding movement.

Working locations

• Home-based
• Occasional UK travel

How to apply

• Please send your CV and covering letter to [email protected].

Interviews

• Interview: 22nd October 2025
• Please note that, due to the high level of interest anticipated, we will only be able to contact shortlisted applicants for an interview.

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