Communications Manager

The Rochester Bridge Trust is an independent, not-for-profit organisation providing free-to-use crossings across the river at Rochester, now and in perpetuity.

Our world-leading team works around the clock to plan, pay for and maintain our bridges, including the iconic Old Rochester Bridge, operating with net-zero impact and at zero cost to the community, so that everyone is free to move forward whether by foot, bike, bus or car.

We\’ve been around since 1399 and over the centuries our charitable work has expanded to inspiring, educating and funding the next generation of civil engineering talent across the UK, and to ensuring the environment, skills and structures that make our area unique are preserved and given new life.

All our work is self-funded through our portfolio of properties and investments, with every penny we make invested into ensuring there will always be free passage across the river, and in continuing our mission of building bridges to a better future for the communities we serve.

Why are we recruiting a Communications Manager?

This is a new and exciting role for the Rochester Bridge Trust, with the potential to make a real impact within this locally and internationally important organisation.

Despite providing free crossings across the River Medway for hundreds of years, and being a global leader in net zero bridge maintenance, The Trust currently has a low profile among the local Rochester community, local businesses, institutions and organisations and political stakeholders that benefit from the work of the Trust, engineering and academic stakeholders and other important audiences locally, nationally and internationally.

The Trust now wants to present a more progressive, relevant and inviting face to the world – building awareness, understanding, trust and confidence and in doing so, enhancing its ability to have positive impact through its charitable, grant giving and educational work; and ensuring it attracts and retains the best and brightest talent.

The role:

The Communications Manager will act as an \”in-house journalist\”, liaising with managers and staff across the organisation to generate and execute on ideas and content in support of the Trust\’s objectives.They will take over the management of the social media accounts, liaison with the web manager and work with local journalists and agencies.They will also work closely with the Events & Trustee Services team to bring to life and amplify a busy events programme.

This role is ideal for someone with a journalistic instinct and a passion for turning technical or potentially dry subjects into compelling, engaging stories that resonate across diverse audiences.

Key responsibilities include:

• Develop and execute a social media drumbeat and strategies to engage the local community and broader audiences.
• Create compelling content across various platforms, ensuring consistency in tone, style, and messaging.
• Monitor and respond to social media activity, fostering a positive online community and conversation.
• Collaborate with internal teams to identify stories, case studies, and opportunities for content creation.Likewise staying plugged in to what\’s happening externally in the world and how this might create opportunities for the Trust to tell its story.
• Craft press releases, articles, and blog posts that attract media attention and public engagement.
• Build and maintain relationships with journalists, bloggers, influencers, and other key stakeholders.
• Analyse performance metrics and adapt strategies to improve engagement and reach.

About you (Essentials):

• Extensive experience in social media management, public relations or journalism.
• Familiarity with media relations and experience of pitching stories to journalists.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and verbal communication skills.
• A passion to work for an organisation with purpose and which creates social value.
• Strong knowledge of social media platforms, analytics tools and emerging trends.
• A creative thinker with a strategic mindset and attention to detail.
• Must be proactive and self-motivated, with the ability to work independently.
• Must be able to work collaboratively, persuasively and respectfully with trustees, senior managers and all staff across the organisation.
• High level of proficiency in IT systems (including MS Office), with willingness and ability to learn additional software packages.
• Able to work well under pressure, often to defined timescales.

Nice to have but not essential:

• Experience of organising and delivery of events.
• Knowledge of or interest in the infrastructure, engineering and not for profit sectors.
• Existing media and stakeholder contacts within Kent.
• Track record of creating engaging content on technical or niche subjects

Why join us?

• Be part of a mission-driven organisation making a tangible difference in the community.
• Help shape the public perception of a historically significant organisation seeking to adopt a more modern, progressive identity.
• Enjoy a supportive and collaborative work environment.
• Opportunity to take ownership of the organisation’s communications and build a strong public profile.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.

How to apply:

Please upload a covering letter with your CV explaining why you think you would be the perfect fit for this role.

The Rochester Bridge Trust is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all backgrounds.We look forward to hearing from you!

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