Director - Communities & Neighbourhoods

CHARITY PEOPLE; Manchester; On-site; GBP 48,000 - 59,000; Full time

Job summary

A respected environmental charity in Greater Manchester seeks a Director of Communities and Neighbourhoods to lead strategic initiatives for community development and climate resilience. The role offers a salary between £48,218 and £58,350, with benefits like 25 days holiday and a 4% employer pension contribution. The position is hybrid, allowing work from home and travel across Greater Manchester.

Benefits

25 days holiday (rising to 31)

4% employer pension contribution

Qualifications

• In-depth knowledge of relevant local, GM and national policy agendas.
• Strong track-record building partnerships across complex systems.
• Understanding of community-led approaches connecting with climate.
• Collaboration and coaching style that empowers teams.
• Passion for place-based working and amplifying community voice.

Responsibilities

• Shape strategy, service innovation and income growth.
• Lead a passionate team delivering impactful community services.
• Support workforce development and cross-organisational leadership.

Skills

Local, GM and national policy knowledge

Building partnerships

Community-led approaches

Collaborative coaching style

Passion for place-based working

Job description

Overview

Are you a visionary community leader with a passion for people, place and planet?

We’re looking for a values-driven, strategic leader to head up the Communities and Neighbourhoods directorate of a respected environmental charity, working across Greater Manchester to tackle climate head on through community action. You'll join a passionate, committed team delivering bold initiatives in community development, climate resilience and nature recovery.

As Director of Communities and Neighbourhoods, you'll be at the heart of driving impact, innovation and inclusive, sustainable growth. This is a special opportunity to join a high-performing Executive Team working for a greener, fairer and stronger Greater Manchester. It's a team that looks out for each other and cares deeply about the vibrant, diverse communities it serves.

Salary: £48,218-£58,350
Contract: Permanent, 36.67 hours FTE (flexible, compressed and reduced hours considered)
Location: Hybrid - based from either Ashton-under-Lyne or Trafford, with flexibility to work from home and travel across Greater Manchester as needed
Benefits: 25 days holiday (rising to 31 with length of service) and 4% employer pension contribution

About the role

It’s a pivotal leadership opportunity shaping strategy, service innovation and driving income growth across a £2.5m+ directorate. As part of the senior team, you'll also play a vital role in cross-organisational leadership - supporting workforce development, embedding ED&I, and stepping in for the Executive Director when needed.

You'll lead an ambitious, passionate team delivering services that drive real and measurable impact across:

• Community and youth engagement - including climate action, development and outreach
• Energy & homes - tackling fuel poverty and improving sustainability
• Urban nature - empowering communities to protect green spaces and biodiversity

About you

You're a natural communicator and connector, someone who thrives on forging relationships and sees the 'bigger picture'. With a whole-systems mindset, you bring nuance, insight and the ability to chart a clear path through complexity.

We're looking for a strategic leader with:

• In-depth knowledge of relevant local, GM and national policy agendas that feed into funding streams
• Strong track-record building partnerships across complex systems that deliver on purpose and income
• Understanding of community-led approaches and how they connect with climate and environment
• Collaborative, coaching style that empowers people to thrive
• Real passion for place-based working and amplifying community voice

Highly desirable: It would also be a real advantage if you've worked in the voluntary, public or environmental sectors - giving you the confidence to navigate the complex stakeholder landscape GGM operates in.

Benefits and culture

In return, you'll be part of an organisation that values, supports and invests in its people.

To apply

Interested and ticking the boxes? Then we'd love to hear from you.

To apply
Please send your CV or profile to Amelia Lee at Charity People as the first step. If your experience aligns, we'll be in touch with details on how to apply.

Deadline

Deadline: 9am on Wednesday 24th September
Interviews: Will be confirmed soon - likely to be mid-late October.

Charity People is a forward thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with