Background
Bipolar UK’s mission is to build a better world together for everyone affected by bipolar; this includes both people living with the condition and their close friends, colleagues and family. To achieve this ambition we need to speed up diagnosis rates and ensure everyone with bipolar has the appropriate care and treatment they deserve. This includes peer support, self-management advice and research – which the charity itself provides and supports. Over the last four years Bipolar UK’s communication and policy function has grown substantially, with a dramatic increase in press coverage and steady growth in digital engagement and advocacy. It has a well developed tone of voice and will be launching a new brand profile alongside the website. The postholder will inherit a talented and growing team with four direct line reports and a wider team of skilled and engaged contractors.
 

Role purpose

You will be a seasoned communications leader with the skills and experience of overseeing a modern, efficient and dynamic communication function to achieve tangible outcomes for people affected by bipolar. The post holder will play a pivotal role in growing Bipolar UK’s brand awareness, contributing to the wider goal of achieving a £3m+ annual turnover so we can provide peer support to even more people affected by bipolar. In autumn 2025 Bipolar UK will be hitting two major milestones, launching both a new website and a high-profile campaign: ‘Could it be bipolar?’ to speed up diagnosis from the average 9.5 years it currently takes. You will be responsible for leading these projects in 2026 and beyond.

Specific Responsibilities

Overall:

• Lead the charity’s external communications, brand, and public-facing resources.
• Manage and support delivery of the charity’s external communications and marketing strategy to increase engagement with existing and new audiences and continue to improve the charity’s profile.
• Line manage and support our Senior Communications Officer, Senior Marketing Officer, Senior Website Officer and Senior Public Policy Officer.
• Develop engaging marketing campaigns to promote awareness, advocacy and services that remain true to the lived experience of bipolar.
• Oversee the Department’s budget alongside the Finance Manager.

Digital

• Lead and develop a compelling digital engagement and marketing strategy.
• Oversee the day-to-day management of our digital channels, including website, media, email marketing and social media.
• Work closely with the Head of Digital Transformation to ensure first-class digital practice.
• Lead engagement of the bipolar community through an engaging webinar, in-person events and conference programme,  which includes managing the charity’s flagship annual World Bipolar Day conference.
• Work with the CEO to develop and implement an effective charity-wide lead generation strategy.
• Work with the Directors of Fundraising and Research to develop engaging and effective campaigns that raise crucial funds and recruit research participants.
• Undertake social listening to ensure people living with bipolar are heard and have their voices amplified.

Press

• Lead the charity’s proactive and reactive press engagement to maximise the charity’s reputation and brand awareness.
• Manage the relationship with our PR agency, Sway PR, and our creative agency, Lark.
• Oversee a bank of over 150 media volunteers and high-profile Ambassadors.
• Implement the Crisis Communications Policy as and when necessary.

Policy

• Support the CEO and Senior Public Policy Officer to develop and implement an effective public affairs strategy to promote Bipolar UK public policy positions and campaigns.

The post holder will be expected to:

• Understand Protection, Health and Safety at Work, and Equality and Diversity legislation, and adhere to policies, procedures, and best practice at all times.
• Work collaboratively with other staff to deliver these responsibilities and agreed objectivesto tight deadlines.
• Be independently mobile, as travel will be required to meetings, alongside monthly trips to our London Office.
• Some evening and weekend work may be required.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties as deemed necessary by their Line Manager, Bipolar UK’s Chief Executive Officer.

In the interest of effective working the major tasks may be reviewed from time to time to reflect changing organisational needs. Any consequential changes will be carried out in consultation with the post holder.