Communications Manager in England

Salary: £40,388 - £43,482 per annum

Hours: 37 hours per week

Contract type: Fixed Term Appointment to 31st March 2028

Vacancy closes: 12th July, 23:58

We are Forestry England, a passionate team of foresters, professionals and experts who bring our work to life. We love to share our enthusiasm and want to make a positive difference for people and the environment. At Forestry England, we care for the nation’s forests for people, nature and the economy. Through powerful storytelling and clear, engaging communications, we showcase the special places we create and care for—places where everyone can feel welcome: to explore, to connect, to reflect, and to belong.

From world‑class landscapes to green spaces close to communities, our forests are designed to be accessible, inclusive and meaningful for all, and our communications play a vital role in making sure everyone feels invited. We connect people with nature by telling compelling stories that inspire visits, build understanding and highlight the proven health and wellbeing benefits of time spent in forests. Together we use our voice, creativity and expertise to engage diverse audiences, celebrate the impact of our work and help shape places that matter—today and for generations to come.

What You’ll Do

This role leads communications and public engagement for a high‑profile national programme to create and install Covid‑19 commemorative features in the nation’s forests. These features will provide spaces for reflection, remembrance and recognition of the lives lost, the impact of the pandemic and the sacrifices made across society. Working closely with the programme director, a multidisciplinary team and communications colleagues in Forestry England’s national team and six districts, you will manage all aspects of communications for creating and installing the features in forests. This will include media relations, stakeholder and community engagement.

The role requires strong communications management, excellent content creation skills and a commitment to inclusive and accessible communications. It also requires the ability to lead compassionate engagement with people affected by loss and trauma, ensuring their voices are heard and reflected with care, respect and dignity. This is a fixed‑term role aligned to the lifespan of the programme, with a strong emphasis on legacy, accessibility and community collaboration. This is a temporary appointment until 31st March 2028 with the possibility of extension or permanency but no guarantee.

Where you’ll work

The role will be based in a local Forestry England office with flexibility for blended working. We would anticipate the role spending one day each fortnight in our Bristol head office. Travel across England will be required with occasional overnight stays necessary. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.

Benefits

• 25 days holiday a year, rising by one day for each year of service, up to 30 days (pro‑rated for part‑time employees) plus bank holidays.
• STaR is our employee benefits scheme offering discounts on everyday supermarket shopping, as well as hotel stays, clothes, mobile phones, other electrical items, medical and car insurance, holidays, gym discounts, household bills and the Headspace wellbeing app.
• Free parking at Forestry England sites and free entry to our National Arboretums at Westonbirt and Bedgebury.
• A commitment to lifelong learning through career development. Forestry England will support your career development in a variety of ways, including continual professional development, support for individual learning plans and sponsored membership of professional bodies.

How To Apply

You will be asked to answer the following question: ‘Set out your experience of planning, delivering and evaluating community and stakeholder engagement on a sensitive issue or project.’ (150 words). You will also be asked to write a 200‑word statement on your relevant experience and career history, along with a personal statement of no more than 500 words. You will be assessed on both during sifting. You will be assessed on behaviours and strength‑based questions during your interview, and asked to do a short presentation.

The Behaviours Being Assessed At Interview

• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Making Effective Decisions

Interviews are expected to be held on 21st and 22nd July in person at our Bristol office. Successful candidates will undergo a criminal record check and the government baseline personnel security standard check. If you require any reasonable adjustments, please email.

Forestry England is part of the Civil Service. The Civil Service has a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS). This means candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria during the application process will be guaranteed an interview. We also offer a Redeployment Interview Scheme to current civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the role. This role is also part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans and Prison Leaver Recruitment initiative.

Within Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016, it is essential that applicants should have the ability to provide conversation in accurate spoken English. Our recruitment process makes appointments based on fair and open competition and merit, as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles.