At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead communications to amplify lifesaving stories and support volunteer press officers.
- Company: Join the RNLI, a charity dedicated to saving lives at sea.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 26 days leave, and a competitive pension scheme.
- Other info: Home-based role with travel across the beautiful South West region.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by sharing powerful stories and raising awareness for water safety.
- Qualifications: Experience in media communications and a passion for storytelling required.
Salary: £35,853 - £42,181 per annum (dependent on experience)
Vehicle: A vehicle will be made available to carry out your duties
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: Full Time
Additional Information: 37 hours per week
Location Description: Home-based in the South West region, with regular travel to RNLI locations, including the RNLI Regional Base in Saltash, Cornwall
Interview Date: w/c 1st June 2026
Closing Date: Reference: 21517
About us: Our purpose is simple: to save lives at sea. 24 hours a day, every day, RNLI lifesavers are ready to launch to the rescue. The RNLI’s Communications team plays a key role in helping to prevent drowning, managing the RNLI’s reputation and building support for our charity’s cause. We work closely with volunteers, staff and partners in water safety, fundraising, and operations to amplify advice, build strong constructive relationships and ensure the RNLI can continue to save lives well into the future.
Some of the benefits:
- Salary of £35,853 - £42,181 per annum (dependent on experience)
- Flexible working
- 26 days’ annual leave plus Bank Holidays
- Competitive pension scheme
- Life assurance
- Health cashplan option
Your role: As Regional Communications Manager, you’ll work with our current Regional Communications Lead and Media Trainers to recruit and support our volunteer Lifeboat Press Officers, ensuring they have the skills and resources needed to deliver local news stories, videos and engaging social media content for their lifeboat station. In this role, you will help plan and support our fundraising and water safety PR campaigns, while maximising the impact of our lifesaving stories and protecting the charity’s reputation. You will be home-based within the South West region (which stretches from Bristol around to Weymouth and includes the Channel Islands), with regular travel to the South West Regional Base in Saltash, Cornwall. The ability to work independently and prioritise your work is essential. You will be expected to travel throughout the South West region. The RNLI is a 24/7 search and rescue organisation, and you should be ready to work outside normal office hours. You will also be part of an out-of-hours duty press officer rota, which will require scheduled weekend and evening work.
About you: To be our Regional Communications Manager, you’ll need to be able to understand the needs of our volunteers and be flexible around their needs where appropriate and generate interest in our charity by telling powerful stories across traditional, digital and social media. To be successful in your application, you will need:
- Experience of supporting volunteers or a demonstrable understanding of what that requires
- The ability to conduct challenging conversations with confidence
- A professional qualification or equivalent experience in a media or corporate communications environment
- Substantial experience in a busy media environment and current communications best practice – media relations, press release writing, social media, basic video production, as well as creative flair
- Substantial experience of finding and pitching stories that include key organisational messages
- An understanding of how to include and increase access for people from a broad range of backgrounds and life experiences
- The ability to evidence a strong news sense and have a good understanding of the regional and national news agenda
Your reward will be seeing the RNLI’s reputation go from strength to strength as you help save lives, raise awareness of our lifesaving work and inspire people to support us. This post requires a valid driving licence.
Safeguarding: The RNLI is committed to safeguarding; protecting a person’s health, wellbeing, and human rights, enabling them to live free from harm, abuse, and neglect. We expect all employees and volunteers to share this commitment and have a zero-tolerance approach. The suitability of all prospective employees and volunteers will be assessed during the recruitment process in line with this commitment. This will include relevant criminal record checks being carried out, dependent on the eligibility of the role.
Diversity at the RNLI: Our staff and volunteers have been saving lives at sea without prejudice for 200 years. We respect and value diversity of background, skills and perspectives within our teams, and consider it essential to help us deliver a world-class lifesaving service. We are an inclusive organisation and welcome applications from everyone. In addition to having the skills needed for the role, we also look for applicants who share our commitment to living our RNLI values (trustworthy, courageous, selfless, and dependable), and helping us work towards Our Vision: To save Every One.
Regional Communications Manager in Okehampton employer: RNLI
The RNLI is an exceptional employer, offering a fulfilling opportunity as a Regional Communications Manager in the picturesque South West region. With a strong commitment to employee wellbeing, we provide flexible working arrangements, generous annual leave, and a competitive pension scheme, all while fostering a collaborative and inclusive work culture that values diversity and personal growth. Join us in our mission to save lives at sea, where your contributions will directly impact our community and help amplify our lifesaving stories.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Regional Communications Manager in Okehampton
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the RNLI and its mission inside out. When you understand what drives us, you can tailor your conversations during interviews to show how your skills align with our lifesaving goals.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former RNLI employees on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider tips and might even lead to a referral, which can boost your chances of landing that interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky questions! Think about scenarios where you've supported volunteers or handled challenging conversations. We love hearing real-life examples that showcase your experience and problem-solving skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our mission to save lives at sea.
We think you need these skills to ace Regional Communications Manager in Okehampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Get to Know Us:Before you start your application, take a moment to understand who we are and what we do. Familiarise yourself with our mission to save lives at sea and how the Communications team plays a vital role in that. This will help you tailor your application to show how you can contribute.
Showcase Your Experience:When writing your application, make sure to highlight your relevant experience, especially in media relations and supporting volunteers. Use specific examples to demonstrate your skills and how they align with the role of Regional Communications Manager.
Be Authentic:We love genuine stories! Don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through in your application. Share your passion for communications and how it connects to our lifesaving work. Authenticity can really set you apart from other candidates.
Apply Through Our Website:To maximise your chances of being considered, make sure to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people quickly. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role there!
How to prepare for a job interview at RNLI
✨Know Your RNLI Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the RNLI's mission and values. Understand their lifesaving work and how the communications team plays a vital role in that. This knowledge will not only impress your interviewers but also help you align your answers with their core objectives.
✨Showcase Your Volunteer Support Skills
Be ready to discuss your experience with volunteers or similar roles. Prepare specific examples of how you've supported or managed volunteers in the past. Highlight your understanding of their needs and how you can empower them to share impactful stories.
✨Demonstrate Your Media Savvy
Since this role involves media relations, come prepared with examples of your previous work in media environments. Discuss your experience with press releases, social media campaigns, and any creative projects you've led. Show them you know how to craft compelling narratives that resonate with audiences.
✨Prepare for Challenging Conversations
The job requires confidence in handling tough discussions. Think of scenarios where you've had to navigate difficult conversations, especially in a communications context. Practise articulating your approach to these situations, as it will demonstrate your readiness for the challenges of the role.
