Communications Officer – Scotland

We are seeking a home-based Communications Officer to join RSPB Scotland’s communications team.

You’ll have an interest in or passion for nature and the outstanding communications skills, knowledge and the experience we need to tell inspiring stories of the conservation projects, our network of nature reserves and our colleagues that are striving to help protect and restore nature across Scotland. 

What’s the role about? 

You’ll be part of a dynamic team working across Scotland to unearth and tell great stories from colleagues that inspire key audiences about RSPB Scotland’s nature conservation work.

The role is diverse and busy, working on the roll out of RSPB-wide campaigns like Big Garden Birdwatch, managing and creating content for social media platforms, responding to press enquiries and building relationships with colleagues working in different areas of Scotland to bring their work to life in print, blogs, film and more.

The role will occasionally include opportunities to travel across Scotland, including overnight trips and out-of-hours work with Time Off In Lieu provided. Applicants need to be based in Scotland.

The role will demand:

• Building relationships with teams across Scotland, developing understanding of their work, stories and communications needs.
• Working with the wider communications and marketing team to support effective communications planning and delivery in line with country and organisational priorities.
• Day-to-day management of social media channels and communications enquiries with support from the wider team.
• Maintaining relationships with press and media to maximise coverage of communications priorities.
• Producing a monthly e-newsletter for supporters.
• Identifying reputational risks and working with the team to help minimise potential impacts.

Required skills, knowledge and experience: 

1. Evidence of a high level of literacy and of a good general education.
2. An understanding of how to achieve objectives through communications campaigns and PR techniques.
3. Ability to communicate in a clear manner at all levels (written and verbally) to develop shared understanding.
4. Ability to summarise complex information and provide impactful copy – e.g. through press releases, social media posts, blogs etc.
5. Being able to persuade others and negotiate to reach agreement.
6. Demonstrable experience of identifying and developing stories and messages from briefings or background information on a wide variety of topics.
7. Working in or with the media to sell and/or tell stories.
8. Ability to write to tight deadlines and work in a fast paced, often changing environment.
9. Multitasking.
10. PR / marketing / journalism qualification (desirable).
11. Experience working remotely across a widely distributed organisation (desirable).
12. Knowledge of Scottish nature conservation/wildlife especially birds (desirable).
13. Knowledge of key habitats and conservation issues in Scotland (desirable).
14. Experience working for/with an environmental NGO or voluntary sector organisation (desirable).

This is a Permanent Full-Time role for 37.5 hours per week. For further information please contact [email protected] 

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position on 25th/26th June 2025. 

As part of this application process you will be asked to complete an application form including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge and experience listed above.

We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we are particularly interested in receiving your application. Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application.

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship – the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.