Communications and Content Executive

DSWF Communications and Content Executive

Candidate Application Pack

January 2026

| About the Communications and Content Executive role

The Communications & Content Executive plays a key role in amplifying David
Shepherd Wildlife Foundation’s (DSWF) mission to protect endangered species in
Africa and Asia. Through compelling copy, social-first visual assets and emotive
storytelling, the role connects global audiences with the realities of conservation.

Grounded in DSWF’s three pillars of conservation, art, and education, the role
translates diverse and sometimes complex issues into accessible and motivating
stories across a range of channels, largely focussed on social media but often
expanding into longer form email and print content.

By producing high-quality digital and non-digital copy and content, nurturing
community conversations, and analysing performance data, the Communications &
Content Executive strengthens supporter loyalty, expands awareness and helps drive
the vital income needed to protect wildlife now and into the future.

This is a hands-on role with strong managerial support, offering the opportunity to develop
skills across digital communications, fundraising and storytelling within a small, collaborative
team.

| What we offer

•  Hybrid, flexible working with minimum two days per week in-office.
•  Strong professional development across content, digital, fundraising and

storytelling.

•  Unique experience working across conservation and wildlife art sectors.
•  Supportive, creative, mission-driven culture valuing collaboration and initiative.
•  Competitive charity benefits including enhanced leave, pension and wellbeing

support.

The Art of Survival:  Fight. Protect. Engage.

www.davidshepherd.org   |  Communications and Content Executive Application Pack   |  January 2026

| About David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation

David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF) is an influential wildlife charity, operating
across Africa and Asia to end wildlife crime and protect endangered species in their
natural habitat. Born from a creative legacy, art remains at the centre of our work to
bring conservation to life. Working from grassroots to the world stage, DSWF adopts a
holistic approach to conservation. We put people at the heart of our work and take into
consideration the vital importance of communities in the fight to protect the world’s
most endangered wildlife.

Since 1984, we have invested over £14 million directly into wildlife conservation.
Harnessing the power of art, in memory of our Founder, the celebrated wildlife artist
and conservationist, David Shepherd, we continue to educate, inspire, and empower
people to join our fight to save wildlife.

By investing in economically and socially vulnerable communities at the heart of the
conservation landscape we fund programmes that tackle the drivers of wildlife crime,
thereby securing safe spaces for wildlife to thrive. By supporting law enforcement
operations, undercover investigations, education, and strategies to alleviate poverty,
we have a real impact on key people and places, as we fight to turn the tide on
extinction.

DSWF also works in wildlife consumer countries to end the demand for, and trade in,
wildlife products and engages in both the national and international policy arena to fight
for the toughest possible protectionist policies.

Through dedication and hard work, we have influenced policy, shifted attitudes,
and provided an unwavering voice for wildlife conservation for over four decades.

| For more information visit:

www.davidshepherd.org
@dswfwildlifeart
@dswfwildlife
About Us video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khiye_3Vl_Q

The Art of Survival:  Fight. Protect. Engage.

www.davidshepherd.org   |  Communications and Content Executive Application Pack   |  January 2026

| A summary of the role

Communications and Content Executive
Marketing and Communications Manager

Role:
Reports to:
Works alongside:  Senior Digital Marketing Executive, Senior Design Executive
Direct reports:
Hours:
Salary:
Location:
Hours:
Lunch:
Holiday:

None
Full Time (35 hours per week).
Up to £28,500 dependent on experience.
Hybrid, 2 days p/week (Tues & Thurs) in Shalford, Surrey, GU4 8JU
Usual working hours 9am - 5pm, with flexibility when required
1 hour, which we encourage all employees to take
25 days per annum, plus Bank Holidays and discretionary days
between Christmas and New Year

Added benefits:  Workplace pension scheme (subject to terms and conditions);

Start date:

Employee Assistance Programme.
As soon as possible post acceptance of role

| The Job Specification

Content Creation, Copywriting & Storytelling

•  Create compelling, accurate and inspiring copy across all channels, including social
media, website content, blogs, newsletters, press releases, fundraising appeals,
cases for support, magazines and catalogues.

•  Translate complex conservation issues such as wildlife crime, human-wildlife
coexistence, ranger operations and community protection models, into clear,
accessible and motivating stories that inspire support and action.

•  Develop short-form video and content-led visual assets (Reels, Stories, behind-the-
scenes footage, event highlights and interviews), including basic filming, editing,
scripting and caption writing using accessible digital tools.

•  Capture, curate and edit photography and video content from events, conservation

partners, education initiatives, commercial partners and archive material.
•  Ensure all written and visual content aligns with brand guidelines while bringing

fresh creative ideas to life.

•  Work closely with the in-house Designer and Digital Executive to deliver high-quality
content and copy for visual and web outputs, with larger design tasks supported by
the Designer.

The Art of Survival:  Fight. Protect. Engage.

www.davidshepherd.org   |  Communications and Content Executive Application Pack   |  January 2026

Channel & Content Calendar Management

•  Lead day-to-day content publishing across social media channels, tailoring

messaging to suit each platform and audience.

•  Plan and maintain a forward-looking content calendar that balances awareness,
engagement and income-generating activity, ensuring fundraising priorities are
embedded into day-to-day publishing and campaign delivery.

•  Ensure new contributors of photography and video have signed the appropriate

release form to permit DSWF to use their IP

Campaigns, Fundraising & Art Initiatives

•  Develop persuasive copy and visual assets for fundraising campaigns, appeals,
supporter journeys, trust and foundation applications and reports, legacies,
corporate partnerships and sponsorships, with a clear focus on motivating
response and donations.

•  Produce content that communicates urgency, demonstrates impact and clearly

links supporter contributions to tangible conservation outcomes.

•  Deliver compelling storytelling that directly supports art-led fundraising initiatives,

contributing to art sales, event attendance and overall income generation.

Collaboration, Insight & Story Gathering

•  Work closely with conservation partners and field teams to source accurate,

insightful and impactful stories and updates.

•  Build strong working relationships with artists, ambassadors and supporters to

enhance storytelling and fundraising opportunities.

•  Attend events and activities to gather content and represent the Foundation

externally.

•  Work collaboratively with the rest of the marketing team to input creative ideas and
campaigns for all DSWF conservation, art and education events, appeals and
activities

Community Engagement

•  Actively manage and engage online communities across social platforms,

responding to comments, messages and conversations in a timely and thoughtful
manner.

The Art of Survival:  Fight. Protect. Engage.

www.davidshepherd.org   |  Communications and Content Executive Application Pack   |  January 2026

•  Support fundraising campaigns and appeals through real-time community
engagement, encouraging participation, sharing and supporter action.

•  Monitor community sentiment, emerging trends and relevant conversations, sharing

insights with the wider team.

•  Moderate interactions, escalating issues appropriately and identifying opportunities
to nurture relationships with advocates, creators and highly engaged supporters.

Analytics & Continuous Improvement

•  Monitor and analyse performance across social and digital channels, including

engagement, supporter action and fundraising response.

•  Use insights to refine content formats, messaging, storytelling approaches and

campaign delivery to improve effectiveness and income over time.

•  Stay up to date with platform developments, digital storytelling trends and best

practice in social media and content marketing.

As with all roles at the Foundation, this position carries a shared responsibility for
supporting fundraising and income generation, ensuring written and social
communications connect and evoke action within communities interested in our
conservation work.

Please note that as part of a small team, the role may include occasional additional
duties to help meet the charity’s wider needs.

The Art of Survival:  Fight. Protect. Engage.

www.davidshepherd.org   |  Communications and Content Executive Application Pack   |  January 2026

| The Person Specification

This role is suited to a creative and motivated early career communications professional
who is passionate about using storytelling to inspire support for conservation. You will
thrive in a small, collaborative team environment, bringing energy, curiosity and a strong
sense of purpose to your work.

Essential

•  Excellent copywriting, editing and storytelling skills, with the ability to write clearly,

creatively and sensitively across digital and print channels.

•  Experience creating engaging short-form video and visual content for social media

using accessible tools (e.g. CapCut, Adobe Express/Rush or Canva).

•  Confidence capturing basic photography and video content at events and editing

content for publication.

•  Strong understanding of social media platforms, formats and trends, and how to use

content to drive engagement and supporter action.

•  Ability to translate complex or sensitive conservation issues into accurate,

accessible and motivating narratives.

•  Demonstrable commitment to wildlife conservation, endangered species protection

and tackling wildlife crime.

•  Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines

and priorities simultaneously.

•  A collaborative, proactive approach, with clear communication skills and the ability

to work effectively across teams.

Desirable

•  Experience working in the conservation, environmental, arts, cultural or non-profit

sectors.

•  Experience supporting fundraising campaigns, appeals or supporter journeys

through communications or content.

•  Appreciation of wildlife art, or experience contributing to art-led fundraising,

exhibitions or creative campaigns.

•  Familiarity with digital tools such as CMS platforms (e.g. WordPress), email

marketing systems or CRMs.

•  Understanding of inclusive and accessible digital communications best practice.

The Art of Survival:  Fight. Protect. Engage.

www.davidshepherd.org   |  Communications and Content Executive Application Pack   |  January 2026

| The Application Process

To apply, please send a CV and cover letter of no more than two pages to
dswf@davidshepherd.org no later than Friday 6th February.

We value thoughtful applications that demonstrate your communication skills. A strong
covering letter, clear examples of past work and attention to detail will help you stand
out. While we’re not opposed to applicants using AI tools to polish language or design,
we’re most interested in hearing your voice and seeing your ideas shine through

First interviews will be 30 minutes long and take place online on Wednesday 11th
February.

Second interviews will be 50 minutes long and take place in person at our office in
Shalford, near Guildford, on Tuesday 17th February.

Throughout the interview process, we’ll be keen to hear about your approach to content
creation and storytelling, how you think about engaging and growing online
communities, and how communications can support fundraising and supporter
engagement. We’ll also explore your experience of working across digital channels, your
understanding of social media best practice, and your eye for visual content and design.

We will let the successful candidate know by Thursday 19th February.

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team, and we particularly
encourage applications from communities and backgrounds currently not widely
represented in conservation and the arts.

The Art of Survival:  Fight. Protect. Engage.

www.davidshepherd.org   |  Communications and Content Executive Application Pack   |  January 2026