Head of Communications & Engagement

Pathway Fund is a social investment organisation working to create a more equitable economy and improve access to capital for Black and Ethnically Minoritised communities and organisations. Our work spans investment, community development, social enterprise and community wealth building.

We are entering an important period of growth and need to communicate more clearly and confidently who we are, what we stand for and the difference we make.

Role profile: Head of Communications & Engagement

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

Location: London

Contract: Permanent

About the role

As Pathway’s most senior communications leader, the Head of Communications & Engagement will shape our organisational narrative and lead our communications, storytelling and engagement strategy.

You will turn complex ideas, investment activity, evidence and community experience into compelling stories for communities, staff, trustees, funders, investors, government and partners. You will strengthen Pathway’s profile, build meaningful stakeholder relationships and help colleagues become confident ambassadors for our work.

This is a strategic leadership role requiring sound judgement and hands‑on delivery. You will work collaboratively across Pathway and with external support, while retaining ownership of our voice, narrative, brand and engagement approach. Policy leadership sits separately from this role.

Key responsibilities

Communications strategy and leadership

• Develop and deliver an organisation-wide communications and engagement strategy aligned with Pathway’s objectives.
• Set clear priorities, audiences, messages and channels, and establish effective communications systems, governance and performance measures.
• Advise the CEO, Board and senior leadership on communications, reputation, stakeholder engagement, risks and opportunities.

Brand, narrative and storytelling

• Own and strengthen Pathway’s narrative, brand and positioning across all communications.
• Turn complex investment activity, programme evidence and impact data into clear and compelling stories for different audiences.
• Develop high-quality content across digital, social, print, film, publications and events.
• Centre community voices through ethical and authentic storytelling, including the experiences of Black and Ethnically Minoritised communities involved in community-led housing, community assets and wealth building.

Internal and external communications

• Lead internal communications that connect colleagues with Pathway’s mission, strategy and impact, equipping staff and trustees to act as confident ambassadors.
• Lead external communications, media activity, thought leadership and major organisational announcements.
• Build Pathway’s profile and strengthen its reputation across social investment, community development, community wealth building and racial equity.

Stakeholder and community engagement

• Build meaningful relationships with communities, government, public bodies, funders, investors, media, partners and sector organisations.
• Develop engagement plans that strengthen influence, support investment opportunities and advance Pathway’s mission.
• Create genuine two-way engagement, enabling communities to shape Pathway’s narrative and tell their own stories.
• Ensure communications are accessible, culturally informed and relevant to diverse audiences.

CEO and Board Support

• Act as senior communications adviser to the CEO and Board.
• Prepare speeches, presentations, briefings, key messages and talking points.
• Support high-profile engagements and advise on the external stakeholder environment.

Organisational capacity and delivery

• Build communications capability across Pathway through guidance, coaching, tools and practical support.
• Commission and manage agencies, freelancers, suppliers and the communications budget.
• Combine strategic leadership with hands‑on writing, coordination and delivery.

Key relationships

Internal: CEO, Board and Chair, senior leadership team, programme and investment teams, and colleagues across Pathway.

External: Communities and community organisations, funders, investors, government and public bodies, media, strategic partners, and communications and public affairs advisers.

Candidate profile

You will bring:

• Significant senior‑level experience in communications, engagement, public affairs, marketing or a related field.
• A strong track record of developing and delivering communications strategies in a complex or mission-driven organisation.
• Exceptional writing and storytelling skills, with the ability to turn complex information into clear, accessible and compelling content.
• Experience shaping organisational narratives, building reputation and delivering content across digital, social, print and events.
• Experience developing genuine two‑way engagement with communities and stakeholders.
• Confidence advising senior leaders and boards, managing sensitive communications and building relationships across sectors.
• Experience managing agencies, suppliers and communications budgets.
• Strategic judgement combined with a practical, delivery-focused approach.
• Strong relationship‑building, political awareness and digital communications capability.
• A collaborative, community‑centred approach and commitment to racial and economic equity.

Knowledge of social investment, community development, community wealth building, community-led housing, social enterprise or the VCSE sector would be advantageous. Experience working with Black and Ethnically Minoritised‑led communities or organisations is particularly welcome, but sector knowledge is not a substitute for strong communications and engagement capability.

We are looking for someone who is:

• Mission‑driven and committed to racial and economic equity.
• Collaborative, curious and an excellent listener.
• Authentic, credible and able to challenge constructively.
• Politically and culturally aware.
• Comfortable with change and ambiguity.
• Pragmatic and able to combine strategic thinking with hands‑on delivery.

What success will look like

Within the first 12 months, the successful candidate will have:

• Established a clear communications and engagement strategy.
• Strengthened Pathway’s narrative, profile and reputation.
• Developed consistent, high‑quality communications and ethical community storytelling.
• Built stronger relationships with priority communities, funders, investors, government and partners.
• Improved internal engagement and communications capability across Pathway.
• Established effective systems and measures for communications performance.
• Developed the narrative and stakeholder proposition around community‑led housing, community assets and community wealth building for Black and Ethnically Minoritised communities.

You will work collaboratively across Pathway and with external support, while retaining ownership of our voice, narrative, brand and engagement approach. Policy leadership sits separately from this role.

Recruitment and inclusion

This is a storytelling role, and candidates will be assessed on their ability to apply their skills in practice. The recruitment process will include a practical exercise assessing strategic judgement, writing, storytelling, audience insight and delivery.

Pathway welcomes applicants from backgrounds underrepresented in senior leadership and people with lived experience of the inequalities we seek to address. We are committed to fair, inclusive and accessible recruitment, and will provide reasonable adjustments throughout the process.

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