Communications Manager – RSPB England

RSPB is seeking a Communications Manager for their Sandy, UK location to enhance awareness and support for environmental initiatives. The role involves leading regional communications for major campaigns, managing media inquiries, and developing social media strategies. Candidates should have experience in communications, leadership skills, and a passion for nature conservation. This is a temporary, full-time position focused on various impactful projects across England.
We’re looking for a communications manager who is passionate about environmental issues and can help to drive forward the RSPB mission by raising awareness and support of our work and inspiring action among a range of audiences to help save nature.

The role would suit an experienced, creative, organised communications professional who understands how to develop and deliver good quality communications for a range of audiences and channels, while working across a large and complex organisation.

You’ll get to work on a variety of subjects, campaigns and issues across England, showcasing the wide range of impactful work we deliver. This could include leading the communications in support of the Big Garden Birdwatch campaign, developing and delivering communications plans to support species conservation efforts across England, or inspiring people to connect with, or take action for, nature.

No two days are the same in this large, friendly and supportive team.

The role involves:

• Planning and leading the regional communications for some of the RSPB’s major campaigns such as Big Garden Birdwatch
• Contributing to the development and delivery of the RSPB communications plan in England
• Working alongside and acting as the main point of contact for key colleagues across the RSPB to identify communications needs and opportunities
• Co-ordinating responses to regional media enquiries, guiding communications officers to provide timely responses, consistent with our official policies
• Identifying and managing issues that may give rise to reputational risk to the RSPB, and ensuring relevant internal staff are informed and briefed
• Working across a variety of external and owned communication channels
• Planning and delivering planned, opportunistic and seasonal social media content
• Copywriting and content creation for digital channels
• Monitoring, evaluation and reporting of communications activities
• Building good internal working relationships with regional, country and UK teams
• Working alongside three other communications managers to support the head of communications in the management of the England communications team.
• Line management of a small team of regional Communications Officers.

What we need from you:

• Proven experience of using a range of social media and evolving communications based on new trends and data. Experience developing, delivering and overseeing social media strategies is desired.
• Experience working in communications, public relations or related fields.
• Leadership skills, ability to think strategically and inspire others, including ability to motivate and develop employees and volunteers
• Managing projects across dispersed geographic areas
• Able to communicate complex topics in a clear manner to a range of audiences
• A friendly and collaborative approach
• Excellent communications (written and verbal)
• Highly organised, with strong prioritisation skills combined with the ability to meet tight deadlines
• Ability to work effectively under your own initiative and an ability to guide and develop others
• Working understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion, and its application within communications delivery
• Knowledge of and interest in nature, nature conservation and environmental issues.

Additional Information

This is a temporary (maternity cover), full-time role, however we are open to discussing flexible working arrangements. We are looking to conduct interviews for this position in early-mid April. For further information please contact lucy.king@rspb.org.uk

Please note this role involves occasional travel across England, with reasonable notice, and occasional out of hours work by prior arrangement, for which time off in lieu is applicable.

As part of this application process you will be asked to complete an application form including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above.

Before applying to this role we would recommend reading through the candidate guidance notes attached to the top or our advert.

We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we are particularly interested in receiving your application. Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application.

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship – the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment