Campaign Manager, National Year of Reading

Campaign Manager, National Year of Reading
£36,000 to £40,000 per year
Full-time, 35 hours per week
Fixed term until the end of January 2027
Based in London SW8 / home and flexible working

We empower people with the literacy skills they need to succeed in life. Together, we're helping people change their stories. You could join us as Campaign Manager for the National Year of Reading – a Government-backed, once-in-a-generation opportunity to change the reading culture of the UK.

What you’ll be doing

The 2026 National Year of Reading is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to change the reading culture of the UK, boosting opportunities, supporting wellbeing and growing skills.

Current research shows that only a third of UK children read for pleasure and that patterns of adult reading are dwindling. In response, the Department for Education has commissioned the National Literacy Trust to lead a year-long campaign to engage new audiences and create a new generation of readers. We aim to increase reading levels across the nation, but we’re particularly interested in boosting reading in the early years, amongst low-income parents and for boys aged 10-16. We will mobilise a huge range of organisations and communities to be part of the campaign, and recruit 100,000 volunteers to strengthen the national reading infrastructure.

Working as part of a new in-house team for the National Year of Reading, you will be responsible for planning and delivering powerful and high-profile national media and PR campaigns in support of our aim to change behaviours and attitudes to reading among target communities. This will include building relationships with a range of stakeholders, including national Government, charity and education sector partners, publishing and book trade bodies, corporate supporters and high-profile celebrity ambassadors.

You will be contracted to our office in London but this role is suitable for home and flexible working, with the majority of your work carried out from home if you would prefer. However, you will need to be available to travel to London for staff and team days, as well as to support project delivery and partnerships. This could be around a day a week on average, although at times it will be a lot less, and unfortunately we are unable to cover travel costs for this.

What we’re looking for

You will have significant experience of planning and delivering high-profile and large-scale media and PR activity, as well as experience of national campaigning and building partnerships with a range of stakeholders across the public, private and charity sectors. Experience of working in the charity, education, wellbeing and/or cultural sectors would be an advantage.

Most importantly, you will be proactive, results-driven and passionate about reaching young people and families with positive and engaging campaigns, to maximise the impact of this once-in-a-generation campaign and change the reading culture in the UK for good.

Why our work is so vital

Literacy changes everything.

It gives you the tools to get the most out of life, and the power to shape your future. It’s the key to knowledge, confidence and inspiration. It’s better results at school, and better jobs. If children grow up without the tools to communicate, without books to read or opportunities to write, it’s harder to get where you want to go.

The National Literacy Trust is an independent charity helping people overcome these challenges and change their life chances through the power of words – reading, writing, speaking and listening. From first words, through school days to training, jobs and beyond.

- We work collaboratively in local communities, focusing our work in 20 areas of the UK that are facing the biggest challenges.
- We support schools, developing the most effective tools and techniques and providing resources and programmes to engage and inspire children.
- We campaign to make literacy a priority for politicians and decision-makers.
- We support vulnerable adults, people in the criminal justice system and young offenders’ institutions to build their literacy skills.

What we offer you

Our team are passionate about our mission and we have a strong and positive working culture, based on shared values and respect. We offer a range of flexible working options and promote a workplace where you can be yourself and contribute to our success, whoever you are.

As well as a competitive salary, we offer benefits including a generous leave allowance totalling 39 days (including bank holidays and office closure between Christmas and New Year), pension contributions of 8% of annual salary, a cycle to work scheme, employee assistance programme and other health and wellbeing benefits.

Application details

Our people are our most important asset and we value and respect diversity in all its forms (seen and unseen). We particularly welcome applications from those from Black and Asian backgrounds, as well as candidates with disabilities and from the communities in which we work. We would like to increase representation of these groups among our staff as we know greater diversity will lead to an even greater impact for our work.

To apply, please select the apply button shown.

Closing date: 10am, Tuesday 12 August 2025

Please note, we do not accept CVs. No agencies or recruitment sites. Registered charity no. 1116260 (England and Wales) and SC042944 (Scotland).