Communications Officer (Maternity Leave Cover)

The Role

Working as part of the FEL team, you will support communities, stakeholders, and funders to take action on climate change and nature restoration. Your role will focus on delivering compelling communications and meaningful networking opportunities across the Forth Valley and National Park region, encouraging more people to live climate-friendly and healthier lives.

You’ll be responsible for FEL’s communications channels, including social media, website, newsletters, and membership engagement tools. You will also work closely with external consultants and web developers to maintain and improve FEL’s online presence.

You will engage with the full FEL team to identify stories for media and manage contacts, write press releases, and arrange press visits as required.

This is a varied and creative role requiring excellent communication, coordination, and relationship-building skills. Very occasional evening and weekend work will be required.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

• Plan, create, and publish engaging content for FEL’s social media, website (WordPress), newsletters, and digital campaigns.
• Manage FEL’s membership community, ensuring it is an active, informative, and supportive space.
• Liaise with external communications consultants, designers, and web developers as needed to support campaigns and site improvements.
• Support communities, individuals, and partners to network and share knowledge about climate action and the Just Transition.
• Deliver or help organise online and in-person training, networking, and learning events.
• Grow FEL’s membership base and strengthen connections among members.
• Support the FEL Communications Subgroup to increase engagement across all communications channels.
• Collect and report on communications metrics and community engagement data for internal and funder reporting.
• Support the organisation of FEL events such as Away Days, networking events, and conferences.
• Provide support to FEL’s Climate Action Hub advisors, delivery partners, and grant-giving processes.
• Ensure consistency of FEL branding and messaging across all channels.

The Person

Experience

Essential

• At least 1 years’ experience delivering communications OR a degree/vocational qualification in a relevant field (Communications, Digital Marketing, Journalism or similar).
• Experience writing and publishing content across web and social platforms.
• Experience managing WordPress websites
• Knowledge of community and voluntary sectors.
• Experience liaising with external agencies, consultants, or developers.
• Experience of communications planning, reporting, and evaluation.

Desirable

• Understanding of climate and nature emergency issues in relation to communications & behaviour change.

Skills & Abilities

Essential

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Competent in Microsoft Office and digital communication tools.
• Organised, able to plan, prioritise, and meet deadlines.
• Able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Experience using social media scheduling and analytics tools.
• Knowledge of GDPR and digital best practice.
• Knowledge of best practice in social media content planning, creation and management.
• Ability to create content using simple tools.

Desirable

• Familiarity with Canva.

Personal Attributes

• Enthusiastic and proactive communicator.
• Creative, flexible, and solutions-focused.
• Confident decision-maker with attention to detail.
• Passionate about community empowerment and environmental sustainability.

What We Offer

We want our people to have good work-life balance, and that they enjoy work and continue to develop, so we offer:

Leave & Flexibility

• 20 days annual leave and 10 days paid Bank and Public holidays, plus one extra day for each year of service up to 5 years (max 35 days total). (Pro-Rata)
• Hybrid and flexible working hours, including walking meetings.
• Generous family-friendly policies including enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption, parental bereavement, and compassionate leave.

Pay & Pensions

• Competitive salary.
• Pension scheme with 5% employer contribution.
• Health & Wellbeing
• Access to counselling services and wellbeing support.
• Inclusive workplace culture, with active work on equality, diversity, and inclusion (e.g. participation in the Rainbow Mark initiative).

Growth & Development

• Personal and professional training opportunities
• Regular team development days.
• Support for volunteering: up to 2 days paid leave annually for voluntary activities.
• Personal Development Plans and access to in-house mentoring & support

Practical Perks

• Cycle to Work scheme (up to £1,500).
• Access to qualified bicycle mechanics for staff and families.
• Quality protective clothing and equipment provided where needed.
• Access to home energy advice, climate literacy, and active travel support