At a Glance
- Tasks: Create engaging content and support initiatives to connect with diverse audiences.
- Company: Cumberland Lodge is an educational charity focused on social division and youth engagement.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and additional perks like on-site lunch and mental health support.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team making a real impact while developing your storytelling skills.
- Qualifications: Five years in communications or journalism, strong storytelling, and project management skills required.
- Other info: Based in Windsor Great Park with home-working options; car access recommended.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 £ per year.
Do you love sharing stories that spark meaningful conversations? Cumberland Lodge – an educational charity bringing young people together to explore the causes and impacts of social division – is seeking a Communications & Engagement Officer to increase the reach and impact of our work.
In this role, you will:
- create compelling content that showcases our programmes and drives engagement
- support impactful initiatives, such as our growing Youth & Democracy network
- help shape our strategy to connect with varied audiences across generations, cultures, and sectors
- join a small, collaborative team where your creativity and ideas will directly influence what we do.
Founded in the aftermath of the Second World War, we have a rich history of bringing people together for challenging conversations, and developing the next generation of leaders to create more just and inclusive futures. We approach our 80th anniversary with ambitious plans to scale up our activities, increase awareness of our mission, and build a vibrant supporter network.
If you’re an experienced communications professional with strong storytelling skills and a passion for making a difference, we’d love to hear from you.
Objective: To champion the vision and mission of Cumberland Lodge through impactful storytelling and strategic communications and engagement, inspiring audiences and growing the profile of our work.
Reporting to: Communications & Engagement Manager
You’ll play a pivotal role in shaping the way we communicate with and engage our audiences, crafting compelling stories that showcase our work with future leaders. Working alongside the Communications & Engagement Manager to deliver the Communications & Engagement Strategy, you’ll focus on:
- bringing our story to life through creative content, from thought-provoking newsletters and blogs to eye-catching social media campaigns that spark empowering conversations and increase awareness of what we do
- identifying and planning communications and engagement activities for multiple channels and audiences, ensuring content is accessible, inclusive, and consistent with our brand guidelines
- assisting with media and PR activity, being alert to proactive opportunities to engage with the media and grow our profile, as well as responding to media enquiries
- collaborating with the Memberships & Outreach Officer to produce effective communications aimed at growing our new membership scheme and keeping supporters up to date with our latest news and events
- tracking our KPIs and producing monthly reports, using data to refine our strategies, and drive further engagement with our work
- gathering and recording case studies, testimonials, and other occasional video/photography at our events to support content creation.
You will also carry out other activities as may from time to time be reasonably required, including deputising for the Communications & Engagement Manager.
Person specification
You’ll be:
- an experienced communications professional/journalist (minimum five years in a communications role, or in a combination of communications and journalism), ideally in education, youth engagement, or the charity sector, or an area related to our Programme themes
- a natural storyteller who can turn complex ideas into engaging narratives, shaping and adapting content and key messages for different channels and audiences
- used to proactively monitoring the news agenda, pitching to/writing for the media, and responding to media enquiries
- confident in handling communications around sensitive/reputational issues
- a strong project manager, able to juggle multiple projects simultaneously, prioritise tasks, and meet deadlines
- experienced in generating regular newsletter communications, ideally using email marketing platforms
- experienced in using a Content Management System (CMS)
- educated to an undergraduate level or hold a recognised industry qualification (such as CIPR or NCTJ), with excellent communication skills
- someone who thrives in a collaborative small-team environment, comfortable building relationships with colleagues and stakeholders across the organisation and beyond.
You may also have:
- experience of using Adobe software including InDesign
- experience of using a social media scheduling platform.
Further information
Hours: 37.5 hours per week (through an annualised hours working pattern).
Location: Based at Cumberland Lodge in Windsor Great Park, with the possibility of home-working up to two days per week. Applicants should be aware that Cumberland Lodge is not easily accessible by public transport, therefore access to a car would be beneficial.
Annual leave: 33 days including Bank Holidays which will be pro-rata. The charity is closed over the Christmas period which will be deducted from the leave allocation.
Pension: Standard Life contributory pension (up to 10% contributions to support 5% personal contributions, with the option to increase personal contributions over and above 5%).
Additional benefits: Lunch provided on-site. Death in service benefit 4 x salary after a probation period. Employee support benefits, including access to a virtual GP service and mental health support.
Only applications with a covering letter will be considered. No agencies please.
Communications & Engagement Officer employer: Cumberland Lodge
Contact Detail:
Cumberland Lodge Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Communications & Engagement Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Cumberland Lodge's mission and values. Understanding their focus on social division and youth engagement will help you tailor your conversations and demonstrate genuine interest during networking opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Engage with their current communications by following them on social media and subscribing to their newsletters. This will not only keep you informed about their initiatives but also provide you with insights to discuss during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with professionals in the charity and education sectors. Attend relevant events or webinars where you can meet people who work in similar roles, as they may offer valuable advice or even refer you to opportunities.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to showcase your storytelling skills by gathering examples of your previous work. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully engaged audiences through various channels, as this will be crucial for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Communications & Engagement Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to showcase your storytelling skills. Make sure to highlight your passion for social issues and how your experience aligns with the mission of Cumberland Lodge. Use specific examples from your past work that demonstrate your ability to engage audiences.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to reflect the key skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. Emphasise your communications experience, project management skills, and any relevant achievements in the charity or education sectors. Make it easy for the hiring team to see why you’re a great fit.
Showcase Relevant Experience: In your application, include specific examples of your previous work that relate to the responsibilities of the role. Discuss any campaigns you've led, content you've created, or media engagements you've managed that demonstrate your ability to drive engagement and tell impactful stories.
Proofread and Edit: Before submitting your application, take the time to proofread and edit your documents. Check for spelling and grammatical errors, and ensure that your writing is clear and concise. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism.
How to prepare for a job interview at Cumberland Lodge
✨Showcase Your Storytelling Skills
As a Communications & Engagement Officer, storytelling is key. Prepare examples of how you've crafted compelling narratives in the past, whether through newsletters, blogs, or social media campaigns. Be ready to discuss how these stories engaged audiences and sparked conversations.
✨Demonstrate Your Understanding of the Charity Sector
Familiarise yourself with Cumberland Lodge's mission and recent initiatives. Show your passion for social division issues and how your experience aligns with their goals. This will demonstrate your commitment to their cause and your ability to contribute meaningfully.
✨Prepare for Media Engagement Scenarios
Given the role's focus on media and PR, think about potential scenarios where you might need to respond to media inquiries or pitch stories. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently, as this will showcase your readiness to handle sensitive communications.
✨Highlight Your Project Management Experience
The role requires juggling multiple projects, so be prepared to discuss your project management skills. Share specific examples of how you've prioritised tasks, met deadlines, and collaborated with teams to achieve successful outcomes in previous roles.