Communications Officer (Publications & Media)

Permanent contract 

Closing date:  23 March 2023 

Interviews:  03 April 2023 

The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust is a grassroots movement working for nature’s recovery and to bring people closer to nature.  

‘Our vision for a wilder future is beautiful and vital!’  

We want great places to live that are good for people and good for wildlife.  

We want nature to be normal, for children to grow up with wild green spaces to explore.  

We want to restore and re-wild our land and sea and tip the balance in favour of nature.  

We know this is what’s needed for our food, oxygen, physical and mental health, our prosperity and for a strong and vibrant society.  

We know that nature’s recovery can help tackle the climate crisis.  

Our future has to be wilder!  

We are seeking a Communications Officer (Publications & Media) to join our cause.  

If you have a passion for wildlife and a talent for the written word this role could be your ideal job!  

This permanent role involves: 

Copywriting & Storytelling  

• Taking a journalistic approach, proactively find, write and edit accurate and compelling wildlife and conservation stories and case studies from across the Trust for online and offline channels.  

• Writing compelling and engaging content for all channels including press releases, blogs, news stories, editorial, case studies and reserve and project updates. 

PR & Media 

• Working with the Director of Fundraising & Marketing and our PR agency Polymedia to develop and deliver the Trust’s PR and media plan. 

• Planning and writing editorial and press releases, develop press relationships, deal with media enquiries, arrange interviews and identify newsworthy stories and PR opportunities to increase the Trust’s media presence. 

Publications  

• Developing and producing Trust printed engagement materials, ensuring they are produced to a high standard, including sourcing and writing copy, project managing, designing and editing using outside designers, contractors and printers, including: 

• Leading and managing the production, strategic development, copywriting and editing of Wild Life, the Trust’s membership magazine, three times a year, including all aspects of budgeting for design, print and postage. 

• Leading and managing other major flagship publications such as the Annual Report and Strategy documents as required. 

The full Job Description is available in our Recruitment Pack but in summary, the following is required: 

Experience 

• Experience in a relevant PR or communications role. 

• Demonstrable experience of proactively identifying and writing compelling stories. 

• Experience of producing and editing written copy for different channels online and offline, as well as experience with proof reading skills. 

Knowledge 

• An understanding of basic marketing concepts and of recent developments in the communications field. 

• Able to demonstrate a good understanding of compelling content across a range of media to engage multiple stakeholders. 

• Knowledge of wildlife conservation and issues relating to this locally and nationally. 

Skills 

• A levels/ Equivalent qualification OR proven relevant experience. 

• Sound organisational, project and workload management skills. 

• Ability to write engaging copy for a variety of channels and formats, as well as editing copy and proof reading. 

Personal Qualities 

• A flexible approach to work and a willingness to learn and take on new challenges. 

• Excellent interpersonal skills, and able to influence, persuade and work with members of the public and colleagues at all levels. 

• Ability to work as part of a team. 

Wild About Inclusion! 

As an inclusive employer we recognise that our workforce needs to better reflect the communities in which we live and work.  We encourage applications from all sections of the community, particularly those underrepresented within our sector, including people from black, Asian, minority Ethnic backgrounds and people with disabilities. We are committed to creating a Movement that recognises and truly values individual differences and identities. 

We are happy to talk hybrid working 

This role will be based at our office in Curdridge; however, we are happy to consider a hybrid working routine, with a proportion of the week spent working from home.  We are a local charity and so applicants should be able to routinely access our office and other locations around the county as necessary.