Head of Communications and Campaigns
Switchback
Tower Hamlets, Greater London
Switchback is an award-winning charity supporting young Londoners to find their way out of the justice system and build stable, rewarding lives. We’re looking for a Head of Communications and Campaigns to lead Switchback’s pioneering work driving change across the justice system, with the voice of young prison-leavers at the heart.
This is an exciting opportunity to join the leadership team at an organisation delivering sector-leading impact with young men leaving prison, taking forward our work to tackle social and racial injustice through creative comms and campaigns. We’re looking for someone to build on our fantastic early progress shifting policy and perceptions – such as raising the prisoner discharge grant for the first time in 25 years, publishing our groundbreaking podcast featured as No.1 on Apple’s New & Noteworthy, and developing our trailblazing Experts by Experience Board.
As Head of Communications & Campaigns you’ll work closely with the CEO and your small Influencing team to harness the powerful insights of Switchback Trainees, alongside the rich evidence from our delivery programme, to deliver Switchback’s aim to be ‘A platform for changing the system’. This will include leading our strategic direction on comms activity (including press and digital strategy) alongside targeted public and political campaigns. Initially these will include Reshape Release – our campaign to ensure everyone leaving prison has a real chance to thrive – and Flip the Script, our campaign focussed on shifting perceptions of young men leaving prison. With an influencing plan for 2022-25 and comms and policy managers already in place, you’ll have a strong foundation to build upon, and the freedom to evolve this vital agenda based on your strengths.
We’re looking for a highly creative and collaborative individual with a strong strategic mindset and ability to see the bigger picture, helping Switchback punch even further above our weight. You’ll bring fantastic communication skills and a strong track record of securing change through integrated comms or campaigns. You’ll see the value in shifting wider narratives about young people from poor or ethnic minority backgrounds and understand how to influence policy-makers. Above all, you’ll be driven to do this by centering the powerful voices and experiences of the young men we support and working in partnership with others to achieve our aims. We’re also determined that our team is more representative of our Trainees, so we’d love to hear from people from Black or Asian backgrounds or with lived experience of the justice system. All appointments are made strictly on merit.
The role would suit a high-achieving manager or campaigner ready for a step up to leadership level, or a more experienced comms professional looking for a new challenge and a chance to make a big impact in an area of urgent need. You’ll have ample opportunity for training and development in a highly supportive and enjoyable working environment in the heart of bustling Spitalfields, London. This is an exciting period of growth and development at Switchback as we pursue our ambitious new 3-year plan, A Platform for Change. Join us!