Location
Taunton, Somerset. Opportunity for hybrid working.

Hours
Full Time

Salary
Banding Level 5 £45,000 - £50,000

About the Role
The Head of Communications is a fundamental role within Somerset Wildlife Trust, responsible for leading the development and coordinated delivery of the Trust’s communications in line with the Wilder Somerset 2030 strategy. This includes identifying key audiences, crafting core messages, and selecting effective communication channels to raise awareness and understanding of the Trust’s work. The postholder will support staff across the organisation in achieving the strategy’s aims while managing a team of specialists and responding to emerging issues professionally and astutely.

Working across teams, the Head of Communications will develop and deliver an annual communications plan that meets the organisation's priorities. Key responsibilities include strategic leadership, cross-team collaboration, communications delivery, brand marketing, public affairs, crisis management, and campaign design.

As an active member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will take collective responsibility for decision making, risk and budget management, ensuring all communications effectively contribute to and support the Trust’s strategic goals. You will lead the development of integrated communications plans and campaigns, coordinate messaging and activity throughout the year, and oversee brand consistency and development.

The role also involves managing a team of staff and volunteers, setting KPIs and budgets, overseeing PR and media relations, acting as a key charity spokesperson, and coordinating key publications such as the Annual Report and members’ magazine.

In addition, you will design and lead strategic campaigns that influence behaviour, policy, and supporter engagement, working closely with policy, advocacy, and engagement specialists to create multi-channel marketing campaigns that are compelling, measurable, and aligned with the Trust’s goals.

Somerset Wildlife Trust offers a supportive and flexible working environment with excellent benefits and the opportunity to make a real and positive difference to nature, communities, and the climate.

Experience
Proven experience in leading communications strategy and delivery, managing teams, and working collaboratively across multiple departments. Experience in brand development, public relations, media management, and crisis communications is essential. Demonstrable success in designing and delivering multi-channel campaigns that drive behaviour change, policy influence, and supporter engagement.

Experience working within or alongside environmental or charitable organisations is desirable.

About you
Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire and motivate a team. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, able to build effective relationships internally and externally. Strategic thinker with a proactive and solutions-focused approach. Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and managing competing priorities.

Committed to the values of Somerset Wildlife Trust, with a passion for nature conservation and community engagement. Flexible and adaptable, with a willingness to embrace hybrid working and support wellbeing initiatives.

Qualifications
A relevant degree or professional qualification in communications, marketing, public relations, or a related field is preferred but not essential. Continuous professional development and a commitment to staying current with communications best practices and trends are expected.

Benefits
- 7% employer pension contribution
- Life assurance
- Flexible and agile working
- Wellbeing support including Employee Assistance Programme and wellbeing champions
- Diversity networks through RSWT/TWT
- Paid volunteer days
- Continuous Professional Development opportunities
- 33 days of holiday (25 + bank holidays) plus Christmas shutdown
- Staff social calendar and events
- The opportunity to make a real and positive difference to nature, communities and the climate