Vacancy: Senior Communications Officer

Job title: Senior Communications Officer

Location: Home-based, with monthly in-person team meetings (generally somewhere in the London-Oxford-Bristol corridor), and regular travel to London.

Contract type: 4/5 days a week (30/37.5 hours per week), permanent.

Salary: £33-34K per annum plus benefits (FTE).

Closing date: Wednesday 19 November, at 2359.

We’re recruiting for a Senior Communications Officer

Would you like to make a positive impact for rural communities across England?

Would you like to help tackle rural deprivation and ensure rural areas have fairer access to essential services?

Would you like to help rural communities reach their full potential?

About Us

Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE) is the only national charity speaking up for everyone in rural areas.  We champion thriving, sustainable and inclusive rural communities that have the services they need and the resources to secure equitable outcomes for everyone. We work closely with our 38 member organisations who support local communities across England. Together we campaign for change, enable local action, and improve support for people most in need. We work with government and other national partners to explore the issues affecting rural communities and identify solutions so that no one is disadvantaged by where they live.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and creative Senior Communications Officer to join our ambitious team. This is a new post that will play a key role in delivering our new five year strategy Rural Ambition: enabling communities to thrive.  This includes a commitment to speak up more boldly for rural communities and to build new alliances to widen our reach. Reporting to the Head of Policy and Public Affairs, you will be responsible for our external communications, including telling eye-catching stories, building relationships with journalists and overseeing our digital communications.  You will support our engagement with policy makers and other stakeholders, and advise and support other team members and our member organisations to promote their work and the impact they are making.

About You

You will be experienced in developing compelling stories and helping to deliver campaigns that raise awareness of low profile issues and drive change. You will enjoy having a varied role that offers the opportunity to be creative, build new connections and work with colleagues in the team and our wider network.  You will be excited by our ambition to speak up more boldly for rural communities and to focus on the issues where we can make the most impact.  You will be a self-starter as well as a team player, enjoy working in partnership with other organisations, and be used to delivering several projects at one time.  You will have direct experience of living in a rural community or have a strong empathy with our cause.

This role is a great opportunity for a communications professional who is keen to take the next step in their career and give a voice to communities that are often forgotten.  You will be joining a small, focused and energetic organisation while being part of a unique national network. If you share our vision and ambition, please get in touch.

Working at ACRE

The ACRE team is home-based. We meet together at least once a month, generally somewhere in the London-Oxford-Bristol corridor. This role also involves regular travel to London. Benefits include up to 30 days holiday, a contributory pension scheme, life cover and flexible working arrangements.

We are an equal opportunities employer and are committed to achieving the highest standards of diversity, equity and inclusion. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, beliefs, traditions and ways of life. Please note you will be asked to provide evidence of your eligibility to work in the UK prior to interview selection.

To apply:

  • Please email your CV and a covering letter (max. 2 sides of A4), stating your interest in the role and how you meet the person specification, to e.mirfin@acre.org.uk
  • Closing date for applications: Wednesday 19 November, at 2359.
  • Interviews will be held in-person on Tuesday 25 November in Woodstock, Oxfordshire. Please confirm in your application that you are able to attend on this date. NB: Please assume that you have not been shortlisted if you have not heard from us by 24 November.
  • If you would like to discuss this opportunity further, please email Patrick Mahon, Head of Policy and Public Affairs, at p.mahon@acre.org.uk to arrange a time to speak.