Communications Officer (Graphic Design & Media)

We are seeking a Diocesan Communications Officer to join our small, friendly and dynamic team supporting the life and mission of the Catholic Church across the Diocese. This is an excellent opportunity for someone in the early stages of their career who is ready to take the next step and grow in a broad, engaging role.

You’ll be working on high-profile campaigns and messaging across various channels and platforms, including social, digital and print media, and involved in multiple projects simultaneously where your passion for communications, innovation and creativity, plus your eye for detail and how best to convey a compelling message, will be greatly valued.

Working closely with the Communications Manager and the Diocesan Webmaster, you will:

• Develop creative ideas and editorial across all forms of communication and editing input for a range of platforms
• Design and deliver high-quality print and digital materials, capturing and creating compelling visual content to tell our story
• Write effectively for a range of audiences and communication channels, including for the web and social media
• Have experience of working with websites and content management systems, as well as knowledge of accessibility standards.
• Support internal communications and parish engagement
• Contribute to diocesan campaigns and publications
• Help shape and implement our diocesan brand

You’ll hold a degree (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant discipline such as graphic design, communications, media, or marketing. You will be highly computer literate, confident using Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Suite, and eager to develop your creative and professional skills further.

We are looking for someone who has a strong creative portfolio and excellent organisational skills and attention to detail. You will write clearly and communicate effectively, thriving in a team and taking satisfaction from helping others. You will be able to manage and filter workflow as well as organise and prioritise your work to maximise productivity and achieve all deadlines. Photography and video skills will be an advantage.

Most importantly, you’ll be sympathetic to the mission of the Catholic Church and excited by the opportunity to use your talents in service of the church and our 87 parish communities.

The Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth is a welcoming and mission-focused diocese covering Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, the Channel Islands, and parts of Berkshire, Dorset and Oxfordshire. Led by Bishop Philip Egan, we are committed to renewing and strengthening the Church through formation, evangelisation, and service. Our ten-year Mission plan, 'You Will be my Witnesses', sets out our vison and priorities. With 87 parishes, 50 schools, and a range of pastoral and charitable initiatives, we offer a vibrant environment for professionals who want to use their skills to support the Church’s mission.

Employee benefits include 25 days paid holiday plus bank holidays, free life assurance and employee wellbeing programme, and contributory pension scheme.

If you are inspired by the idea of working in a values-driven environment where your efforts will have a lasting impact, we would love to hear from you.

Come and be part of our mission!

Communications Officer (Graphic Design & Media) – Job Description

Main Duties

Internal Communications

• Coordinate and deliver clear and engaging internal communications for clergy, parish teams, and diocesan departments.
• Draft and distribute regular digital updates and notices to promote diocesan policies, resources, and mission priorities.
• Ensure internal messaging aligns with diocesan values, tone, and Catholic identity.

Graphic Design and Creative Content

• Design and produce visually impactful print and digital materials to support fundraising and information campaigns, publicity resources, social media graphics, and a wide range of liturgical material.
• Maintain and apply the diocesan brand across all platforms and resources.
• Create content that visually communicates the work and mission of the Diocese in engaging and accessible ways.

Web and Digital Support

• Assist the Webmaster in supporting diocesan and parish web pages, ensuring information is accurate, timely, and aligned with diocesan standards.
• Provide support and guidance to parishes using diocesan-hosted web platforms.
• Contribute to maintaining and updating the diocesan website and ensuring accessibility and compliance with relevant policies.
• Creating engaging content for the new website and intranet.

Publications and Reports

• Project manage the production of key diocesan publications such as the Annual Report, coordinating contributions and designing the final output.
• Ensure consistency of tone, style, and presentation across publications.

Event Support

• Provide communications and creative support for diocesan events and campaigns, including visual materials, photography, digital content, and promotional tools.
• Attend and document key events as needed to support post-event communications and archival material.

Visual and Multimedia Content

• Capture or commission photography (still and video) to support communications, particularly for major events, campaigns, and publications.
• Maintain and curate a diocesan photo and asset library.

Professionalism and values

• Uphold and promote the ethos and values of the Catholic Church.

Additional Information

• Occasional evening or weekend working may be required to support major events or publications.
• The postholder must be sympathetic to the mission of the Catholic Church and its teachings.

Communications Officer (Graphic Design & Media) – Person Specification

Essential

Degree or equivalent qualification in one of the following:

• Graphic Design
• Communications or Media Studies
• Digital Media
• Marketing or Public Relations
• Journalism
• Visual Communication
• Professional certification or training in:
• Adobe Creative Suite (e.g. through Adobe Certified Professional course
• Content Management Systems (e.g. WordPress)

Proficient in Microsoft Office , including Word, Excel, PowerPoint , and Outlook , with the ability to create, edit, and format documents, presentations, and spreadsheets to a high standard.

Confident using cloud-based collaboration tools such as Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, or Google Workspace.

Comfortable navigating and updating web-based platforms and content management systems (CMS), e.g., WordPress.

Strong file management and digital organisation skills.

Other Essential Skills:

• Ability to learn and use new digital tools and software with minimal support.
• Photography and image editing
• Experience in developing a strong creative portfolio with evidence of graphic design and layout skills
• Excellent writing, editing and proofreading skills
• Highly organised, able to prioritise and meet deadlines
• Strong project coordination skills with attention to detail
• A flexible and proactive approach to work, including occasional out-of-hours support
• Effective team worker with a collaborative mindset
• Sympathetic to the teachings and values of the Catholic Church

Desirable

• Membership of the Chartered Society of Designers or other relevant professional body
• Experience using email marketing platforms (e.g., Mailchimp) and design tools (e.g., Canva, Adobe Creative Cloud)
• Photography and/or video editing skills
• To have worked in a charity or third sector organisation
• Understanding of parish life and diocesan structures
• Experience supporting volunteers
• Understanding of Church communications and branding
• Understanding of the application of GDPR to the storage and use of participant information and data privacy

How to Apply

Please send a comprehensive and up to date Curriculum Vitae with a covering letter setting out your suitability for the role and motivation in applying. Please state ‘Communications Officer (Graphic Design & Media)’ in your covering letter title.

We encourage an early application as we may close this advertisement at our discretion before the date stated, if a high number of applicants apply.

The closing date for applications is Sunday 27th July at 10pm.

You will be notified shortly after the closing date, should we wish to progress your application and invite you to an interview.

The Diocese of Portsmouth is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all who support the ethos and values of the Catholic Church.

You must have a valid UK Right to Work, as the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth does not offer UK Visa Sponsorship.