Community Engagement Manager at Maritime Academy Trust

Join Maritime Academy Trust as a Community Engagement Manager!

Lead. Connect. Inspire – helping our schools and communities thrive together.

Hours: 22.5 per week across 4 days
Contract: 2 year Fixed Term Contract
Working Pattern: Term Time Only (38 weeks per year) with flexible working. You'll spend one day each week at our Head Office in Northfleet, with the remainder of your time working across our schools, in the community or from home when appropriate. Salary: Medway C2 (12-25) £13,245.12 - £16,633.70 Actual salary 

About The Role

Are you passionate about bringing people together and making a real difference in communities?

This is an exciting opportunity to join Maritime Academy Trust as our Community Engagement Manager, leading and supporting a team of five Community Ambassadors who are helping to transform the way our schools connect with families and local communities.

Reporting to our Head of Community Engagement, you'll play a key role in shaping and developing community engagement across the Trust. You'll coach and support our Community Ambassadors, helping them grow in confidence, turn great ideas into meaningful action and deliver initiatives that strengthen relationships, improve opportunities and help children and families thrive.

You'll be joining a passionate team already making a real impact across our schools. Your role will be to inspire, develop and empower them, creating the conditions for even greater success while building strong partnerships with schools, families and community organisations.

This isn't just another community engagement role—it's an opportunity to help shape an innovative programme that is changing the way schools work with their communities.

In this role, you will:

• Lead, coach and support a team of Community Ambassadors across the Trust.

• Develop meaningful partnerships with schools, families and local organisations.

• Champion and celebrate the impact of community engagement through creative communications and storytelling.

• Coordinate professional development and share best practice across the Community Ambassador network.

• Support schools to develop initiatives that strengthen belonging, inclusion and community connections.

• Work collaboratively with colleagues to evaluate impact and continually develop our community programme.

Who You Are

We're looking for someone who:

• Has experience leading, motivating or developing a team.

• Builds strong relationships with a wide range of people and organisations.

• Is organised, proactive and confident managing multiple priorities.

• Has excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

• Enjoys turning ideas into practical action.

• Is confident using social media and communication tools to engage audiences.

• Believes in the power of community, collaboration and inclusion.

• Shares our commitment to improving outcomes for children and families.

You may have experience in community engagement, family support, education, youth work, the charity sector, local government, partnership development or customer engagement. Whatever your background, you'll be someone who enjoys working with people and is motivated by making a genuine difference.

What We Offer

At Maritime Academy Trust, we're proud of the collaborative culture we've built across our schools and communities. This is a unique opportunity to lead an innovative team, shape an exciting programme and make a lasting impact across our Trust.

Here's what you can expect:

• A flexible, term-time only role supporting a healthy work-life balance.

• The opportunity to lead and develop an inspiring team of Community Ambassadors.

• Ongoing support and mentoring from our experienced Head of Community Engagement.

• The opportunity to shape community engagement across our family of schools.

• High-quality professional development and Trust-wide training.

• Local Government Pension Scheme and national terms and conditions.

• A comprehensive wellbeing package, including enhanced maternity and paternity leave, an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and Occupational Health support.

• Lifestyle and financial wellbeing benefits, including the Cycle to Work Scheme, Blue Light Card, eye care vouchers and access to a range of employee discounts.

Our Recruitment Process We want every candidate to have the opportunity to showcase their strengths and feel comfortable throughout the recruitment process.

Stage One – Online Conversation A short, informal online conversation with Katie-Louise, Head of Community Engagement. This is an opportunity for us to get to know each other, explore your experience, discuss the role and answer any questions you may have.

Stage Two – Formal Interview
Candidates who are successful at Stage One will be invited to our Head Office in Northfleet for a formal interview. This will include a practical task designed to reflect the role and give you the opportunity to demonstrate your skills and approach.

We'll provide everything you need to prepare in advance.

Ready to Make a Difference?

If you're excited by the opportunity to lead an innovative team, build meaningful community partnerships and help shape the future of community engagement across Maritime Academy Trust, we'd love to hear from you.

Before you apply, we'd encourage you to explore our Candidate Information Pack. Inside you'll discover:

• A welcome from our Head of Community Engagement.

• Our vision for community engagement across Maritime Academy Trust.

• Meet our Community Ambassador team and discover what makes them unique.

• Learn about our team culture and the way we work together.

• A typical week in the role.

• More about the Trust, the role and the impact you'll have.

Applications should be submitted via My New Term. We may interview and appoint as applications are received, so early applications are encouraged.

Maritime Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All appointments are subject to an Enhanced DBS check and pre-employment checks in line with current safeguarding guidance. We are proud to be an inclusive employer and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds.