OnSide Youth Zone Thames Gateway
Marketing and Communications Manager
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Company Description
OnSide Youth Zone Thames Gateway, opening in 2027, will be a state-of-the-art youth centre in Tilbury, serving young people across Thurrock. The centre will offer a safe and inspiring environment where young people can make friends, develop skills, and explore new opportunities. It will provide a diverse range of activities, support, and programmes designed to help young people grow, learn, and thrive. As part of the OnSide network, Thames Gateway Youth Zone will work closely with local partners and the community to create accessible, high-quality youth provision.
Role Description
Few communications roles offer the chance to build a brand, shape a reputation, and change lives all at once. This is one of them.
This is a rare opportunity to establish a new organisation from the ground up, creating a legacy that will benefit thousands of young people for years to come.
As the charity's communications lead, you'll shape and deliver an ambitious communications and marketing strategy aligned to the organisation's vision and fundraising ambitions.
Reporting directly to the CEO, you'll have the autonomy to build the function from the ground up, raising the Youth Zone's profile, strengthening its reputation, and bringing the voices and stories of young people to the heart of everything we do.
You’ll work alongside OnSide’s national communications team as the Youth Zone builds towards opening before steering the charity’s communications function beyond that. With development and learning opportunities through the Youth Zone, OnSide, and the Network, this role offers a clear pathway into senior leadership, providing the opportunity to shape strategic decision-making.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Working across digital, media, campaigns, brand, and stakeholder engagement, you'll play a pivotal role in ensuring communications supports fundraising, organisational priorities, and the long-term sustainability of the charity.
The fun bit… young people will be at the heart of what you do. You’ll have the freedom to be creative while directly seeing the impact of your role.
This is a varied, fast-paced role where no two days are the same. You'll enjoy significant ownership, the opportunity to influence strategic decision-making, and access to professional development through OnSide and its national Network, making it an ideal role for an ambitious communications professional looking to make a lasting impact.
Salary: £35,000 - £45,000
EXPERIENCE
- Experience of planning and delivering strategic communication and creative marketing plans in line with organisational objectives and aims.
- Experience of working with the media and delivering PR and publicity with local and regional media outlets.
- Experience in website management, content development, and delivering engaging digital communications.
- Project and budget management experience including monitoring and evaluation processes.
- Experience working in young person-focused environments, providing information, advice, guidance, and support.
- Some knowledge of the wider Thurrock area would be advantageous.
- Dynamic, innovative, and creative approach to communications delivery with an interest in working in the youth sector.
- Skilled in building relationships with senior stakeholders and managing externally funded projects.
- Familiar with all the latest social media applications and trends with a knowledge of how to utilise them for effective communications purposes.
- Ability to establish and maintain good professional relationships with young people, adults, and partner agencies/organisations.
- Knowledge of relevant IT systems e.g., PR Max; Mail Chimp; Hootsuite, and design programmes such as Canva.
- Attention to detail with excellent written communications skills and a key understanding of the importance of storytelling.
- Ability to handle a varied workload, react quickly, meet deadlines, and prioritise tasks.
- Understanding of what makes marketing and communications effective for different audiences.
- An understanding of the basic fundraising principles.
- A genuine commitment to the mission, aims, and values of OnSide Youth Zone Thames Gateway.
- Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team, maintaining a proactive approach and can-do attitude.
- A willingness to work evenings and weekends, with the flexibility, motivation, and commitment to meet the needs of young people at the Youth Zone. This may include travel locally and nationally, depending on the needs of the role.
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Educated to degree level or equivalent experience in a relevant field (e.g., English, Communications and Marketing, or Fundraising), and relevant experience will also be considered.
- Proficient IT skills with an understanding of Office 365 and relevant support systems.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills
Location