Communities Engagement Manager

Location: Covent Garden, London

Salary: Competitive salary

Hours: 37.5 hours per week. You will work Monday to Friday, including some weekends and bank holidays on a rota basis between 09:00 - 17:30.

The Communities Engagement Manager is responsible for delivering internal and external community engagement initiatives across the urbanest portfolio. The role focuses on creating meaningful resident experiences, managing community partnerships, coordinating potential volunteering opportunities with charity partners, and supporting the delivery of urbanest's community engagement and respective ESG objectives, typically E & S focus.

The role works closely with operational teams to ensure inclusive engagement activities strengthen resident communities, enhance wellbeing and create positive social impact. To help bring to life urbanest’s mission “to enhance university life by creating responsible, sustainable communities across London”.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, coordination and delivery of urbanest annual community engagement programme, creating meaningful experiences that enhance the resident journey.

• Develop and maintain partnerships with charities, universities and community organisations to deliver social impact, volunteering and fundraising initiatives.

• Drive resident engagement through events, wellbeing activities and inclusive programmes that promote community, connection and belonging.

• Manage engagement budgets, track programme performance and produce reports on participation, social value outcomes and ESG metrics.

• Coordinate volunteers, suppliers and stakeholders to ensure successful delivery of community initiatives across multiple locations.

• Collaborate with internal teams, including People & Culture, Operations, Sales & Marketing, to align engagement activities with business objectives and resident needs.

• Create and support communication campaigns that promote community initiatives, sustainability projects and resident involvement opportunities.

• Analyse engagement data and resident feedback to identify opportunities for continuous improvement and increased participation.

• Ensure all activities are delivered safely, efficiently and in line with company policies and procedures.

Key Skills & Experience

• Strong organisational and project management skills, with the ability to coordinate multiple programmes and events simultaneously.

• Experience managing budgets, tracking expenditure and reporting on outcomes.

• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build relationships across internal teams, charities, universities and community partners.

• Passion for community engagement, volunteering, social impact and resident wellbeing.

• Data-driven approach with experience monitoring KPIs, analysing engagement metrics and measuring programme success.

• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.

Benefits

• Travel & Cycle to Work Loans – Helping you get to work in a way that works for you

• Enhanced Maternity & Paternity Leave – Supporting you through life’s most important milestone

• Health & Wellbeing Support – Comprehensive financial, mental, and physical health resources

• Recruitment Bounty – Know someone great? Get rewarded when they join

• Generous Company Pension Contributions – Supporting your future, today

• Free Eyecare Vouchers – Taking care of your vision

• Life Assurance Policy – Peace of mind for you and your loved ones

• Team Events & Staff Parties – Because we believe in celebrating together

• Long Service Awards – Recognising your dedication and loyalty

• Employee Assistance Programme – Free, confidential support when you need it

• Training & Development Programme – Helping you grow your skills and career

• Retail Discounts – Everyday savings on the things you love

• Half-Price Gym Membership – Stay active with The Gym Group

• Medicash Health Cash Plan – Claim cashback on everyday healthcare costs, including dental, optical and physiotherapy treatments.

This is a wonderful opportunity to join an ambitious, thriving and professional company, located in the heart of London. We started in 2009 and are now a 250+ strong team working every day to embody our values: Integrity, Development, Energy, Achievement and Support.

Our head office is in Covent Garden, and operating a 24/7 business out of ten communities across London (King’s Cross, St Pancras, Hoxton, Tower Bridge, Victoria, Vauxhall, City, Westminster, Battersea and Canary Wharf), with over 6,500 total student beds. We opened urbanest Canary Wharf in September 2026, one of the world’s most sustainable student accommodation buildings. With 1,672 beds, urbanest Canary Wharf will further enhance our sector leading status when it comes to sustainable student developments.

Our communities each have a unique feel with buzzing social areas and quiet study spaces for our residents, and we are proud to offer an amazing living experience for students attending leading universities such as King’s College London, University College London, LSE, New York University and many others. We have a co-ordinated calendar of in-house events to help students discover London and truly enjoy their time with us, ensuring urbanest has a positive impact during this developmental stage of their lives, serving us in our Mission:
“To enhance university life by delivering responsible, sustainable communities across London.”

At urbanest we are proud of our incredible work culture, and we all come together at different events throughout the year to celebrate our achievements. We are also pleased to offer numerous staff benefits, including discounted gym membership, travel to work/cycle to work loan, a generous company pension contribution, access to Medicash health cash plan, and more. Join us at urbanest and help us achieve our Vision of “a living and working experience better than yesterday; even better tomorrow.”

If you're ready to make an impact and be part of a dynamic, growing team, we would love to hear from you. Apply now!