JOB DESCRIPTION

Job title: Communications Officer (Part-time) Job purpose: To deliver engaging communications that raise the profile of the Trust and bring to life the impact of our grants, with a focus on managing our social media channels and creating stories about our grantees. Contract: Part time (21 hours per week, worked over 3-5 days per week) Salary: Range £28,000 to £32,000, dependent on skills and experience (pro rata for 21 hours per week) Reports to: Chief Executive Officer Location: Bournemouth

BENEFITS:

29 days’ holiday entitlement pro rata

Hybrid working arrangements

JOB DESCRIPTION

Are you passionate about communications and want to make a difference? Do you enjoy creating content that helps people understand impact? The Talbot Village Trust, one of Dorset’s largest grant-giving charities, is looking for a part-time Communications Officer to manage our communication channels and create compelling stories that celebrate the work of the organisations we fund, sharing the Trust’s vision for the future of the Talbot sisters’ legacy.

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer and working closely with colleagues, trustees and grantees, you will help strengthen our brand, reputation and profile with key partners and local communities. This role is ideal for a creative communications professional who is excited about turning real-life outcomes into engaging content across multiple channels, particularly social media.

This is a part-time role within a small staff team, supported by our deeply committed trustees.

The role offers hybrid working.

Key responsibilities include:

Social media management

Plan, create and schedule engaging content across our social media channels, ensuring a consistent tone of voice and alignment with the Trust’s priorities.
Monitor and respond to selected comments and messages (with appropriate escalation), helping to build positive relationships with stakeholders and local communities.
Track performance using platform insights and simple KPIs (e.g., reach, engagement, follower growth), making recommendations for improvement.

Impact storytelling and content

Build relationships with grantees to gather story ideas, quotes, images and short case studies that show the difference our funding makes.
Write and edit impact stories for our website, social media, newsletters and reports, tailoring content for different audiences.
Ensure all content follows our brand guidelines, is accessible and inclusive, and that appropriate permissions/consents are in place for any photos or videos used.

Digital channels (website and email)

Keep the charity’s website content accurate, lively, engaging and up-to-date (news, stories, and key information), working with colleagues to agree priorities.
Support email communications (e.g., drafting and building newsletters) to share funding stories, opportunities and Trust updates.

Content planning and coordination

Maintain a simple content calendar to plan and coordinate social posts and impact stories.
Source, organise and edit photos and short videos for digital channels (within brand and consent requirements).
Support communications activity for Trust events and announcements by preparing posts, copy and materials for sharing.

Planning and administration

Coordinate approvals and sign-off processes for content, ensuring accuracy and appropriate confidentiality.
Maintain organised records of media assets and consents in line with data protection requirements.

Data and reporting

Collect and report on basic communications metrics (e.g. social engagement and website performance) to help inform content decisions.
Improve systems and processes for storing and using photos, video and contact information in line with data protection obligations, including take-down procedures.

General

Support trustees and senior management by preparing presentations and materials for committee and board meetings and as needed.
Attend occasional events related to the charity outside of office hours
Undertake any other duties in support of the charity as may be reasonably required.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential

Experience working in a communications or content role (or evidence of strong equivalent skills gained in another setting).
Experience managing social media channels, creating content and scheduling posts.
Excellent writing and editing skills, with the ability to turn information and interviews into clear, engaging stories.
Ability to build positive relationships with grantees and stakeholders and to gather story material sensitively and professionally.
Good working knowledge of digital channels and basic analytics, with an ability to use insights to improve performance.
Sound working knowledge of WordPress
Experience creating basic visual content (e.g. Canva) and editing short-form video.
Experience of email marketing tools (ideally MailChimp) and newsletter building.
Experience of CRM systems and good data handling practice.
Strong planning and organisational skills with attention to detail and an ability to manage multiple deadlines in a part-time role.
Strong IT skills including Office 365.
Committed to the principles and practice of equality, diversity and inclusion.
Clean UK drivers’ licence and access to a car for business use. Visiting charities across our area of benefit will be a key element of this role, including in more remote rural areas.

Desirable

Experience of working in a charity, public sector or community setting.
Experience using SharePoint

ABOUT US

The Talbot Village Trust is a charity with a vision for communities in south-east Dorset to live well. We exist to support people to transform their own lives for the better. We do this by providing grants to charities and other local impact organisations delivering much needed services in Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch, Purbeck and east Dorset. We also manage an estate combining the historic Talbot Village, residential and commercial lettings, woodland, and an urban heath. We have distributed over £11 million in funds through 650 awards across south-east Dorset over the past decade.

How to apply

Please apply with a covering letter outlining why you are suitable for this role, along with links to a portfolio of your relevant work, and your CV including names of two referees (none of whom will be contacted without your consent and only if you are offered a position). Email your application to beverley@talbotvillagetrust.org by 9am Monday 5th October. Interviews will be held during the week of 19^th October. You will be notified during the week of 12th October if we are inviting you to interview.

As a small team, we are not able to provide individual feedback at the initial stage of the application process. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

This is a part-time role of 21 hours per week. The post is offered on a hybrid arrangement, with the option to work from home on an ad hoc basis. The postholder is expected to work from the office for the majority of their working week, and be readily available to visit charities within Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole, East Dorset and Purbeck.

We will review applications as they are received and reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we appoint.

Should you be interviewed for one of our vacancies (either virtual or face to face), you will always receive considered feedback from us once a decision has been reached.

We warmly welcome applicants from all parts of our diverse community.

Thank you for showing an interest in the opportunity.

Talbot Village Trust

1 live role at Talbot Village Trust

Communications Officer

Past roles