Policy and Communications Manager

Reports To: Senior Communications & Marketing Manager Department: External Relations Salary: £31,000 to £36,000 Deadline: Wednesday 22nd July Interviews: Screening calls: 27-31 July Interviews: W/c 17 August Who Are We? Football Beyond Borders (FBB) is one of the UK's leading education and youth organisations. We exist to support young people from socio-economic disadvantage to thrive in school by building long-term, trusting relationships with adults who believe in them. We believe every young person should have a trusted adult relationship throughout secondary school. Since launching in 2014, FBB has grown into a national organisation working with thousands of young people across schools in London, Greater Manchester and the West Midlands. We combine relationship-based practice, education, youth work and culture to help young people feel seen, supported and successful both in and beyond school. But our ambition goes beyond programmes. We are working to help build a country where every young person has access to a trusted adult relationship - and where schools, systems and organisations are designed around belonging, connection and long-term human development. Central to this ambition is the Trusted Adult Guarantee (TAG) - a growing coalition of organisations, practitioners, policymakers and researchers committed to ensuring every young person has access to a trusted adult relationship. We authored this policy proposal as the central piece of work by the Lost Boys Taskforce: a coalition we founded in 2025. As this movement grows, we are looking for an exceptional Policy, Communications & Public Affairs Manager to help position FBB as the leading voice on trusted adult relationships in the UK and help build the conditions for the Trusted Adult Guarantee to become a nationally recognised movement and policy agenda. Why Join FBB? At FBB, we believe relationships change lives. We know that trusted adult relationships can transform a young person's experience of school, their sense of belonging and ultimately their future. That's why we're working towards a future where every young person has access to a trusted adult relationship throughout secondary school. But we're equally ambitious about the organisation we're building. We are trying to create one of the best places in the country to do meaningful work with young people: a relational, developmental and deeply human organisation where high standards and deep care coexist. Our culture is rooted in three core principles: Connection, Autonomy and Mastery (CAM). We believe people do their best work when they: Feel deeply connected to others and to purpose Are trusted to lead and make decisions Are supported to continuously develop their craft We are intentional about culture. Connection at FBB is designed, not hoped for. Development is scheduled, not squeezed. Wellbeing is held by the organisation, not left to the individual. We care deeply about: Meaningful relationships Reflective practice Leadership development Belonging Accountability Growth Learning Collective responsibility As a result, you'll be joining a team that is ambitious about impact whilst refusing to lose the humanity that makes the work matter. The Opportunity This is a unique opportunity to sit at the intersection of policy, communications, public affairs and movement building. You will help shape national conversations around young people, relationships, belonging and the role trusted adults play in improving outcomes. You will work across government, education, sport, research and philanthropy sectors to build relationships, influence policy discussions and strengthen FBB's reputation as a thought leader. You will also help ensure our ideas reach the right audiences through compelling content, events, reports, campaigns and strategic communications. At its best, this role helps transform trusted adult relationships from a promising idea into a recognised national movement. What You'll Own Raising the profile of trusted adult relationships nationally Positioning FBB as a leading voice on trusted adult practice and policy Supporting the development of the Lost Boys Taskforce and Trusted Adult Guarantee Building relationships with policymakers, civil servants, funders and sector leaders Translating evidence, insight and practice into compelling policy and communications outputs Ensuring FBB contributes meaningfully to national conversations affecting young people What You'll Do Policy & Public Affairs You will: Build and maintain relationships with policymakers, civil servants and influential stakeholders Monitor developments across education, sport, youth, health and social policy Identify opportunities for FBB to influence policy discussions Coordinate FBB's responses to relevant consultations, reviews and policy developments Represent FBB at policy roundtables, conferences and sector events Support engagement with Parliament, political parties and government departments where appropriate Help shape and grow the Trusted Adult Guarantee policy agenda Examples may include: Meeting with officials from the Department for Education, DCMS and other government departments Engaging with the Children's Commissioner and national sector bodies Contributing to responses to major policy developments and reviews Supporting activity at Party Conferences and Parliamentary events Thought Leadership & Movement Building You will: Develop FBB as the leading voice on trusted adult relationships in the UK Develop relationships with aligned organisations and coalition partners Support the growth of the Trusted Adult Guarantee network Convene events, roundtables, webinars and sector discussions Identify opportunities to strengthen collaboration across the sector Build relationships with researchers, academics and thought leaders Examples may include: Working with organisations such as Movember, England Football Charity, MCR Pathways and other organisations aligned to the Trusted Adult Guarantee Organising events and national webinars Supporting coalition-building activity across the youth, education and wellbeing sectors Communications & Content You will: Lead the creation of high-quality policy and thought leadership content Translate complex ideas, evidence and policy into accessible communications Write blogs, articles, briefings and opinion pieces Support speech writing and external communications for senior leaders Manage newsletters and thought leadership communications Maintain key campaign and movement-building websites and platforms Examples may include: Producing LinkedIn articles and website content Managing the Lost Boys Taskforce newsletter Maintaining the Lost Boys Taskforce website Producing briefing papers and policy explainers Research, Insight & Publications You will: Work closely with FBB's Impact Team and Executive Team to develop reports and publications Translate evidence and learning into compelling external outputs Support the production of annual impact reporting Develop reports that strengthen FBB's credibility and influence Examples may include: Writing major thought leadership reports Supporting the development of the annual Impact Report Producing research summaries and policy briefings Turning practitioner and young people's experiences into evidence-based recommendations Who We're Looking For We are looking for someone who: Is passionate about improving outcomes for young people Believes in the transformative power of trusted adult relationships Is politically aware and curious about how change happens Is an exceptional writer and communicator Can build relationships with a wide range of stakeholders Is comfortable representing an organisation externally Can move between strategic thinking and practical delivery Thrives in fast-moving and ambiguous environments Is excited by building movements and influencing systems Experience We Think Will Help You might have experience in: Public affairs Policy Campaigns Strategic communications External affairs Government relations Research and advocacy Think tanks Education or youth sector organisations You do not need experience in all of these areas. We are more interested in your ability to build relationships, communicate ideas, influence others and help drive meaningful change. Success in This Role In three years' time, success might look like: Trusted adult relationships are embedded within national policy The Trusted Adult Guarantee has grown into a national movement FBB is recognised as a leading voice on trusted adult practice and policy Relationships with policymakers, funders and sector leaders have significantly strengthened FBB's publications, events and thought leadership shape conversations across the education and youth sectors More young people benefit from trusted adult relationships because of the influence and reach of the movement What You'll Get From Us Be Part of Something Bigger This role offers a rare opportunity to help shape a national conversation. You won't simply be responding to policy debates - you'll help create them. You'll play a key role in helping trusted adult relationships become recognised as one of the most important ingredients in helping young people thrive. Autonomy & Ownership We believe in trusting great people to do great work. You'll have significant freedom to shape priorities, build relationships, identify opportunities and influence how FBB shows up nationally. This is a role for someone who wants to help build something, not simply maintain it. Learning & Development We invest heavily in staff development and wellbeing, including: Dedicated Learning & Development budget Reflective Practice Coaching and supervision Mentoring opportunities Leadership development Internal and external training opportunities Wellbeing & Benefits We believe meaningful work should be sustainable. Benefits include: 40+ days annual leave (including organisation-wide shutdown periods) Wellbeing budget Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) Nike staff kit Access to football tickets through partners Reflective Practice and clinical supervision Team socials, celebrations and residentials Travel expenses covered for work-related travel A Team That Has Your Back You'll work alongside a passionate, ambitious and supportive team who care deeply about young people and each other. We're serious about impact, but we also know that the best work happens when people feel connected, trusted and supported. Before You Apply You do not need to meet every requirement to apply. If this role excites you and you believe you could contribute meaningfully to FBB's mission, we would love to hear from you. Some of the best people grow into roles over time. If you are reflective, relational, ambitious and committed to learning, we encourage you to apply even if you are unsure whether you tick every box. We particularly welcome applications from people whose identities, experiences or backgrounds are underrepresented within leadership across the charity, education and youth sectors. Safeguarding at FBB Safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to creating a safe, inclusive and supportive environment for all young people and expect all staff to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to: Enhanced DBS checks Two professional references Safeguarding training and compliance processes Ongoing safeguarding CPD and learning By joining FBB, you are committing to upholding the highest standards of safeguarding and care for young people. How to Apply Please submit: Your CV A cover letter explaining why this role interests you and what you would bring to it We look forward to hearing from you.