This role is a unique opportunity for a talented communications and PR professional to take on a pivotal role at the John Muir Trust. As the UK charity dedicated to the protection of wild places, we are seeking an exceptional individual to play a critical role in building our audience and gaining support for wild places.

You will provide leadership and hands-on technical expertise to build a wider audience to raise awareness of wild places and stimulate public support to protect them in the UK. If you are an experienced strategic communicator with strong PR credentials and a passion for wild places, we want to hear from you. The Head of Communications will work collaboratively with colleagues to influence how we engage and motivate a wider audience.

The John Muir Trust is committed to realising our ambitions through a diverse team.

Role purpose

The Head of Communications is responsible for the delivery of strategic approaches to growing target audiences and stimulating public support for wild places. The role will drive significant growth in awareness, media coverage, audience engagement over a three-year strategic horizon. The post holder will lead the communications team to develop and deliver integrated plans aligned to our strategic objectives. The role is responsible for driving positive press and media coverage, developing our digital activity, and building the John Muir Trust brand.

Main responsibilities

Key duties

• Lead the delivery of strategically aligned integrated communications activity.

• Develop and deliver a media relations plan to enhance the Trust’s reputation and visibility.

• Responsible for day-to-day media relations and enquiries.

• Oversee the development of our social media activity.

• Lead the strategic development of the Trust’s brand to ensure it remains compelling, recognisable and aligned with our vision.

• Support the Trust’s approach to reputation management and crisis communication, ensuring issues are anticipated and responses are strategically aligned.

• Oversee the development of our digital platforms – including our website.

• Oversight responsibility for our publications and communications assets.

• Oversee the development of high quality on-site interpretation across the land in our care, to increase awareness and understanding of wild places.

• Embed collaborative approaches to develop compelling stories and inspiring content.

• Monitor the effectiveness of campaigns and provide insights for measuring success.

• Develop and embed horizon scanning processing to identify emerging opportunities and issues across the wider environmental landscape.

• Lead and mentor our communications team, ensuring their growth and performance.

• Responsible for all associated income and expenditure budgets.

• Undertake any other duties as required of the role.

Person specification

Essential skills, knowledge and aptitude

• Experience of leading and developing teams through visible, effective leadership.

• Demonstrable experience delivering high impact, high profile press and media campaigns that drive positive coverage.

• Experience of using data and analytics to inform campaign performance and audience insight.

• Demonstrable experience of developing and implementing successful communications plans and campaigns that optimise key metrics in line with strategic objectives.

• Excellent written and verbal communications skills.

• Collaboration skills and experience building strategic relationships and partnerships.

• Understanding of working within a charity setting, and knowledge of the environmental /conservation / natural heritage sectors would be advantageous.

• A positive and flexible approach to work, willingness to travel and work occasional unsociable hours as required.

• Commitment to the Trust’s vision and objectives.

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or equivalent in a related subject.

Other details

Type of contract: Permanent

Hours: Full time; with option for flexibility from 0.8 FTE

Salary: £42,000 to £48,000 (FTE) depending on experience

Pension: 5% employer contribution to a group auto-enrolment pension scheme

Reporting to: Director of Communications, Engagement and Marketing

Location: Remote, with travel to John Muir Trust properties as required

Holidays: 34 days per year (pro-rata) plus 2 ‘wild days’ or 2 sustainable travel days

Screening interview date - Friday 15th of August

Interview date - Wednesday 20th of August