Forestry Commission
Communications Manager
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Communications Manager
Commemoration Programme Communications Officer – Temporary
Location: Local Forestry England office (with flexibility for blended working and mandatory Bristol office presence one day per fortnight) Contract Type: Fixed-term until 31 March 2028 (extensions possible but not guaranteed)
About the Role
This role leads communications and public engagement for a high-profile national programme to create and install Covid-19 commemorative features in the nation’s forests. These features will provide spaces for reflection, remembrance, and recognition of the pandemic’s impact, honouring lives lost and collective sacrifices.
You’ll work closely with the programme director, a multidisciplinary team, and communications colleagues across Forestry England’s national and district teams to:
- Develop and deliver an integrated communications strategy.
- Enhance community engagement and co-creation.
- Drive accessible, inclusive messaging tailored to diverse audiences.
The role emphasises legacy, collaboration, and trauma-informed engagement, ensuring sensitive, respectful communication with affected communities.
Key Responsibilities
Communications Strategy & Planning
- Collaborate nationally and district-wide to develop an integrated communications plan engaging the public, stakeholders, and media.
- Craft consistent messaging while adapting to local contexts and audience needs.
- Use audience insights and data to refine strategies, measure effectiveness, and tailor communications.
- Ensure all communications prioritise accessibility and inclusivity, supporting diverse audiences (including disabled users).
Creating Content
- Produce engaging, accessible content for digital, print, and media channels, adhering to Forestry England’s tone of voice.
- Coordinate with national team colleagues to maximise timely impact.
- Develop case studies, news stories, content, and social media assets highlighting community involvement and creative opportunities.
Community Engagement & Co-creation
- Lead high-quality stakeholder engagement events and partnerships for community participation.
- Create materials for sensitive, meaningful interactions with advisory groups and communities.
- Ensure reflections of diverse pandemic experiences across cultures and backgrounds.
- Collaborate with commissioned artists and creative partners to communicate artistic intent accessibly.
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Stakeholder & Media Relations
- Work with sector teams and external partners to co-ordinate impactful messaging.
- Build and maintain relationships with regional/local media, developing proactive stories and responding to inquiries.
- Provide communications guidance to programme colleagues and senior leaders.
- Ensure consistent, accurate messaging across all national media channels.
Crisis & Reactive Communications
- Support in tactical crisis communications, responding to issues arising from programme development.
- Monitor digital platforms for relevant conversations and misinformation, responding as needed.
Evaluation & Reporting
- Lead evaluation of communications effectiveness, using data to enhance audience engagement.
- Provide timely reporting on programme development, delivery, and communications impact.
- Contribute recommendations to programme boards and funders.
General
- Execute additional tasks at the direction of your line manager.
Requirements
Essential Professional Experience
- Strong written and verbal communication skills: Ability to craft compelling content for diverse audiences.
- Multi-channel communications expertise: Experience developing plans for awareness-building and public engagement.
- Media relations: Proactive and reactive work with journalists, focussed on reputation management.
- Sensitive subject matter experience: Ability to engage thoughtfully on emotionally complex topics (e.g., pandemic grief).
- Content creation: Proficiency in digital, social media, print, and other platforms.
- Stakeholder engagemnet: Building collaborative relationships at all levels.
- Accessibility-focused work: Experience ensuring communications reach diverse audiences, including those with disabilities.
- Project management: Organising multiple priorities and tight deadlines effectively.
- Technical skills: Microsoft Office, communications tools.
Desirable Professional Experience
- Creative/environmental/sector-specific projects: Experience managing communications on initiatives relating to heritage, culture, public spaces, or placemaking.
- Public sector experience: Prior work with government departments or healthcare organisations.
- Green space benefits awareness: Familiarity with the health/wellbeing impact of forestry and nature.
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Qualifications
- Essential: Degree or equivalent in communications, marketing, PR, or related fields.
- Desirable: Professional qualifications (e.g., CIPR membership).
Benefits
- Salary: £40,388 + £11,700 employer contribution to the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension.
- Flexible working: Hybrid option with occasional office presence (one day/fortnight in Bristol).
- Development: Role-aligned learning programmes.
- Diverse & inclusive culture: Support for disability, veterans, and prison leavers.
- Civil Service pension: High-value contributions with three guaranteed employer contributions.
Application Process
Selection Criteria
- Essay (150 words): Reflect on your experience planning, delivering, and evaluating community/stakeholder engagement on a sensitive issue.
- Statement (200 words): Suscribe your relevant experience and career trajectory.
- Personal statement (500 words): Align with core values and motivations.
- Interview: Assessed behaviours—
- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering at Pace
- Making Effective Decisions
- Subsequent steps:
- Presentation: Respond to a user procedure.
- Criminal record and security checks (BVOR/SVOR).
- Medical assessment.
**Note:
- Interviews tentatively held in-person on 21–22 July 2024 at the Bristol office. -Feedback provided post-interview only.
Eligibility & Criteria
Open to:
- UK/EU citizens (with residency permits, Post-Brexit stipulations).
- Those with settled/pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.
- Veterans, disability, disabled veterans applicants: Access Forestry England’s Disability Confident Scheme.
Contact
Email: fcrecruitmentteam@forestryengland.uk for queries.
Diversity and inclusion are core to Forestry England/communications programmes—applications from all backgrounds are encouraged.
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