Communications Officer

Communications Officer

A key conservation position on one of Scotland’s most beautiful islands.

Do you have a passion for storytelling and experience in communications across a variety of media and channels? An exciting opportunity has arisen at COAST for a full-time Communications Officer. We are seeking someone who can shape and deliver our communications and media strategy, bringing our message to diverse audiences through a wide range of methods and platforms.

Community of Arran Seabed Trust (COAST)

COAST is a multi-award-winning, community-led marine conservation and restoration charity. Established in 1995 by two local divers in response to the collapse of fish stocks and seabed degradation in the Clyde, COAST has become a pathfinder in community-driven marine protection.

Highlights of our work include:

• Establishing Scotland’s first and only community-led No Take Zone in 2008, following a 13-year campaign.
• Proposing the South Arran Marine Protected Area in 2012, which was designated in 2014 and protected from bottom-towed fishing in 2016
• Opening Scotland’s first community-led Marine Protected Area Visitor Centre, the COAST Discovery Centre, in 2018.

We are a small, dynamic team of staff and volunteers committed to realising the environmental, social and economic potential of our seas.

Over the next four years, COAST’s ambition is to scale up our impact as a leading community-led marine conservation charity in Scotland. We will build on three decades of community-driven marine protection and restoration around Arran and the Clyde. COAST aims to deepen community involvement in marine stewardship using citizen science and academic research as the evidence base.

This role sits within Full Circle, COAST’s flagship programme focused on marine recovery, skills development and community leadership. Full Circle is building a new generation of ocean stewards, supporting people into marine careers, and strengthening long-term protection for Scotland’s seas through education, training and practical conservation work.

Alongside this, we will continue to build COAST’s capacity through new facilities, partnerships and sustainable income, supporting our research, education and community work for the long term. We will grow our supporter base and public profile, building lasting support for marine recovery and ocean protection.

This growth phase will require a strong, strategic communications function that can tell COAST’s story with authority, creativity and impact — locally, nationally and internationally.

The person

The successful candidate will have relevant communications experience and preferably demonstrated experience of daily operations of an organisation. You will have a varied skill set and be able to manage daily issues that arise. You will be a motivated and proactive person who can think on their feet whilst being highly organised. The candidate is expected to show excellent project management and people skills and have a desire to become part of our island community.

To apply

To apply, a full CV with a covering letter detailing how you meet our requirements should be sent by email to Áine Purcell Milton at [email protected] by 5pm on 11th March. Online interviews will be held Wednesday 25th and Thursday 26th March 2026. If you would like to discuss this position with us informally, please email us at the same address.