At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead communications strategy, engage audiences, and create compelling campaigns for a beloved community pool.
- Company: Hampton Pool Trust, a charity dedicated to preserving a cherished open-air swimming pool.
- Benefits: Flexible working hours, opportunity to shape community engagement, and make a real impact.
- Other info: Work collaboratively with diverse teams and enjoy a dynamic, community-focused environment.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team and help unify our story while driving fundraising efforts.
- Qualifications: Strong storytelling skills, experience in campaign development, and familiarity with digital operations.
Hampton Pool Trust is an independent charity that exists to secure the future of Hampton Pool, one of the UK’s best-loved open-air swimming pools and the only London lido open 365 days a year. The Trust works in partnership with South Downs Leisure (SDL) to operate and develop the pool as a sustainable, community-run health and wellbeing location.
As the Trust enters a critical period of fundraising, development and long-term sustainability planning, we are looking for a communications leader to help unify our story, strengthen audience engagement and build an integrated communications engine that supports both pool growth and Trust fundraising ambitions.
The Opportunity
We are seeking a strategic, hands‑on communications leader who combines strong storytelling and campaign expertise with practical AI fluency and modern digital operations capability. This is not a traditional charity communications role. You will help shape the communications strategy alongside trustees and committee members, while also creating the systems, processes and editorial rhythm required to deliver it consistently across all Hampton Pool channels together with SDL’s marketing and operational teams.
The ideal person will know how to:
- Simplify complex narratives that turn community passion into audience growth and supporter action
- Create integrated campaigns with compelling content and storytelling that drives engagement and support
- Build scalable content systems and editorial processes that bring consistency to fragmented channels
- Measure what works and optimise performance
Note: This role is not expected to deliver all day‑to‑day content production. The successful candidate will create strategic and campaign‑led content, establish editorial standards, and work with SDL Marketing Team and specialist suppliers to scale content delivery.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Communications Leadership
- Audience & Campaign Development (with SDL Marketing Team)
- Content Strategy & Content Creation (with SDL Marketing Team)
- Communications Operations (with SDL Marketing Team)
- Manage Measurement & Insight
- Stakeholder Engagement
Work collaboratively with: Fundraising & Outreach Committee, trustees, SDL marketing, fundraising consultants and external creative/PR support. Help ensure consistency between Trust and operational communications.
Ideal Experience
We are open to candidates from agency, freelance, in‑house or consultancy backgrounds. Experience working with charities, community or membership organisations preferable.
Time Commitment
Likely 2-4 days per week initially. Flexible structure depending on experience and scope. Combination of strategic planning, stakeholder workshops and operational oversight.
Communications Strategy & Engagement Lead employer: Hampton Pool Trust
Hampton Pool Trust is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead communications for one of the UK's cherished open-air swimming pools. With a strong focus on community engagement and sustainability, employees benefit from a collaborative work culture that values creativity and strategic thinking, alongside flexible working arrangements that support personal growth and professional development. Joining our team means being part of a mission-driven organisation dedicated to enhancing health and wellbeing in the community while fostering meaningful connections with supporters and stakeholders.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Communications Strategy & Engagement Lead
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Hampton Pool Trust.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Hampton Pool Trust.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Hampton Pool Trust.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Hampton Pool Trust. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Communications Strategy & Engagement Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Hampton Pool Trust. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Communications Strategy & Engagement Lead, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hampton Pool Trust
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Hampton Pool Trust. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
