Communications Officer

Position Overview

Forestry England seeks a skilled and organized Communications Officer to craft and execute integrated communication strategies supporting key initiatives, including the partnership with Forest Holidays. This role is based in England with flexible hybrid working options, requiring travel across England and occasional overnight stays, including regular visits to the Bristol national office.

Primary Responsibilities

• Coordinate and execute integrated communications aligned with Forestry England's brand voice and messaging across multiple projects and priority areas.
• Assist in creating and managing the External Communications team's annual plan.
• Support communications efforts related to Forest Holidays, including content creation across channels and facilitating engagement with communities on new site developments.
• Collaborate closely with internal colleagues, Forest Holidays staff, and external planning consultants to ensure consistent messaging.
• Produce engaging content tailored to various platforms such as digital media, social media, press, and print targeting diverse audiences.
• Contribute to communications planning and campaign delivery alongside Communications Managers and subject experts.
• Identify stories and opportunities within Forestry England, translating complex information into clear and compelling messages.
• Draft press releases, case studies, and reactive statements to support media coverage in collaboration with the communications team.
• Manage communication efforts across different channels ensuring a unified and coordinated approach.
• Maintain strong working relationships internally and externally to facilitate effective collaboration and program delivery.
• Seek opportunities to enhance audience understanding, develop supporters, foster partnerships, increase revenue, and broaden reach.
• Support administrative, planning, and reporting functions to ensure timely and effective communications execution.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the line manager.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Proven experience in communications, PR, or marketing roles supporting campaigns or initiatives.
• Excellent writing, editing, and narrative skills producing content for varied communication channels.
• Ability to simplify technical or complex information into engaging, accessible messages.
• Track record of working collaboratively with diverse stakeholders and building constructive partnerships.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to juggle multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Proficiency with IT applications, including MS Office and digital communication platforms.
• Experience using social media and content management systems effectively.
• Skilled in ethically and safely leveraging AI tools to enhance communications quality and efficiency.
• Proactive mindset and flexibility to work independently or as part of a team.
• Degree or professional certification in communications, PR, marketing, or related discipline, or relevant equivalent experience.

Additional Requirements and Conditions

• UK-based candidates from any Forestry England office with hybrid working availability.
• Must be willing to travel frequently across England with occasional overnight stays.
• Successful candidates will be subject to criminal record and government baseline personnel security checks.
• A medical examination is expected upon selection.
• Eligible applicants include UK nationals, Republic of Ireland nationals, Commonwealth citizens with UK work rights, EU nationals and family members with appropriate settled or pre-settled status, and certain other groups with specific work rights.

Remuneration and Benefits

• Annual salary of £33,854 with an additional employer pension contribution of £9,807 into the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension Scheme.
• Customized learning and professional development opportunities.
• Flexible working arrangements within an inclusive and diverse workplace culture.
• Participation in a Civil Service pension plan with an employer contribution rate of 28.97%.

Selection and Application Process

Applicants must provide a 200-word summary of relevant experience and career history plus a personal statement of no more than 500 words. Selection will include behavioural assessments focusing on communication, collaboration, quality service, and pace delivery. Interviews will test experience, technical ability, and behavioural competencies.

Use of AI assistance in applications is permitted if all submissions are truthful, original, and based on personal experience to avoid disqualification.