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- Tasks: Craft engaging stories and manage impactful communications for Scotland's art galleries.
- Company: Join the National Galleries of Scotland, a vibrant hub for art lovers.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous benefits, and flexible hybrid working.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by sharing Scotland's incredible art with the world.
- Qualifications: Experience in communications and a passion for storytelling are essential.
- Other info: Be part of a creative team with exciting career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 37614 - 41138 £ per year.
Permanent and Part-Time (4 days) Start date 03 August 2026 Salary £37,614 - £41,138 per annum pro rata Plus generous benefits package Hybrid / flexible working
About the role
We’re looking for an experienced communications professional to join us at the National Galleries of Scotland. If you’re skilled in seeking out news, love telling a good story, excel in writing engaging copy and thrive on building relationships, we want to hear from you. This role is perfect for someone who has previous communications experience and is excited by our mission to make art work for everyone. You don’t need to be an art expert. Curiosity, enthusiasm and being proactive matter more than formal art knowledge. You’ll help us to communicate with visitors and potential visitors to our three Edinburgh galleries - the National, Modern and Portrait. Sharing Scotland’s incredible art collection with audiences locally, nationally and internationally. From major exhibitions, loans and new acquisitions to conservation breakthroughs, publications and community projects. You will work with colleagues across the organisation as well as in collaboration with external partners such as Edinburgh Art Festival, Scotland+Venice and VisitScotland. This is an exciting opportunity to play an important part in sharing Scotland’s amazing art collection. Shaping stories that will reach millions of people across the world.
The difference you’ll make
The Communications Officer is part of a supportive and creative Marketing and Communications team. Reporting to the Communications Manager, you’ll work closely within a small team of five. Collaborating daily with a fellow Communications Officer, Press and Marketing Officer and Social Media Officer to deliver impactful communications campaigns.
Your duties will include but not be limited to:
- Planning and delivering thoughtful, well-planned earned media campaigns for upcoming exhibitions. From online, broadcast and print to podcasts, YouTube and social media.
- Identifying great stories and photo opportunities and pitching them confidently to global media.
- Building relationships with journalists, content creators and production companies. From tabloids to podcasts to specialist publications.
- Writing engaging copy for press releases, colleague updates and our website.
- Organising events such as press views, influencer partnerships and photocalls to deliver creative and eye-catching content.
- Actively working in a busy press office, responding to enquiries by email, telephone, and social media.
- Providing regular reporting on press activities, including evaluating results and learnings.
- Responding to issues or crisis situations.
- Creating high quality social media content.
- Drafting award submissions.
Who we are looking for
To succeed in this role, you’ll need the following range of knowledge, skills, and experience:
- Proven experience as a Communications Officer or in a similar role in communications at a similar level.
- Planning and delivering impactful communications campaigns.
- Securing meaningful media coverage and be able to tell us how you did it.
- A creative, enthusiastic and proactive approach to seeking out interesting stories that will appeal to our audience.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to create and edit audience focused content, such as press releases, website copy, social media posts and internal updates.
- Creating exciting and engaging social media content.
- Strong organisational skills with experience of delivering projects on time.
- Influencing, communicating and working well with other people across departments and as part of a team.
- Staying calm, confident and in control under pressure.
- Able to work quickly to tight deadlines.
It would also be great if you have:
- Understanding and experience of the culture sector.
- Visual arts awareness.
- Public affairs experience.
- Knowledge of copyright.
- Familiarity with Gaelic language.
The closing date for completed applications is 12 noon on Monday, 13 April 2026.
Communications Officer employer: National Galleries of Scotland
Contact Detail:
National Galleries of Scotland Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Communications Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the art and communications sectors, attend events, and engage on social media. Building relationships can open doors that applications alone can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your storytelling skills! Prepare a few engaging stories about your past experiences in communications. When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, share these stories to demonstrate your passion and creativity.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! If you see an opportunity to pitch a story or idea related to the role, go for it. This shows your enthusiasm and initiative, which are key traits for a Communications Officer.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the time to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Communications Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Storytelling: When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for storytelling shine through. Share examples of how you've crafted engaging narratives in your previous roles, especially those that resonate with audiences. We want to see your creativity and how you can bring art to life through words!
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. Highlight your communications experience and any relevant campaigns you've worked on. This shows us that you understand what we're looking for and that you're genuinely interested in the role.
Keep It Clear and Concise: While we love a good story, clarity is key! Make sure your application is well-structured and easy to read. Use bullet points where necessary and avoid jargon. We want to quickly grasp your qualifications and how you can contribute to our mission without wading through unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to submit your application through our website! It's the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about us and our amazing work in the arts sector.
How to prepare for a job interview at National Galleries of Scotland
✨Know Your Audience
Before the interview, take some time to research the National Galleries of Scotland and their current exhibitions. Understanding their mission and recent projects will help you tailor your responses and show genuine interest in their work.
✨Showcase Your Storytelling Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully identified and pitched stories in previous roles. Be ready to discuss specific campaigns you've worked on and the impact they had, as this will demonstrate your ability to create engaging content.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Spirit
Since this role involves collaboration with a small team, think of examples that highlight your teamwork skills. Share experiences where you’ve worked closely with others to deliver successful communications campaigns or events.
✨Be Ready for Rapid-fire Questions
Given the fast-paced nature of the role, practice answering questions under pressure. Prepare for scenarios where you might need to respond to media inquiries or crisis situations, showcasing your calmness and quick thinking.