At a Glance
- Tasks: Support and develop a network of communications volunteers across RNLI lifeboat stations in Scotland.
- Company: Join the RNLI, a charity dedicated to saving lives at sea.
- Benefits: Flexible working, competitive salary, 26 days annual leave, and health cash plan options.
- Other info: Home-based role with travel across Scotland and opportunities for career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by sharing lifesaving stories and building community support.
- Qualifications: Experience in media communications and volunteer support is essential.
Salary: £35,853 - £42,181 pro rata (dependent on experience)
Vehicle: A vehicle will be made available to carry out your duties
Contract type: Permanent
Hours: Part-Time
Additional information: 22.5 hours per week on a job share basis, working either Monday-Wednesday or Wednesday-Friday
Location description: Home-based in central or northern Scotland, with regular travel across the region
Interview date: 12 - 14 August
Closing Date: 02-08-2026
Reference: 21735
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 pro rata (dependent on experience)
- Flexible working
- 26 days’ annual leave plus Bank Holidays
- Competitive pension scheme
- Life assurance
- Health cashplan option
Your role
In this job share role, you'll be supporting and developing a network of communications volunteers across 20–25 RNLI lifeboat stations in Scotland. As Regional Communications Manager, you’ll work with our Regional Communications Lead and Media Trainers to recruit and support our volunteer Lifeboat Press Officers and Social Media Officers, ensuring they have the skills and resources needed to deliver local news stories, video and engaging social media content for their lifeboat station. You'll also 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.
Being home-based within central or northern Scotland, you can also work from lifeboat stations or lifeguard support centres as necessary and available. You will be expected to travel throughout the Scottish region and so the ability to work independently and prioritise your work is essential. 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 of 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.
- You’ll be able 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.
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 depending 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.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Regional Communications Manager P/T (Scotland) in Queensferry
✨Dive into Local PR Events
Get yourself to any local PR meetups or networking events in your area. These gatherings are perfect for making connections with professionals in the field, and you never know who might have a lead on a part-time gig with companies like RNLI!
✨Leverage Social Media
PR is all about visibility, so show off your skills on platforms like Twitter or LinkedIn. Share insights on current trends, engage with industry leaders, and tag companies you admire, like RNLI. It’s a great way to catch their eye and demonstrate your knowledge.
✨Volunteer for PR Projects
Look for opportunities to volunteer in PR roles, even if they’re unpaid. It’s a great way to get hands-on experience, build your portfolio, and make professional connections that could lead to part-time openings.
✨Tap into University Resources
If you're currently at uni, check on your career services for part-time PR opportunities. Many larger companies, including RNLI, keep an eye out for budding talent at universities. They might even have exclusive listings just for you!
We think you need these skills to ace Regional Communications Manager P/T (Scotland) in Queensferry
Some tips for your application 🫡
Make Your Passion Shine Through:In your cover letter, we want to see why you're into public relations! Share what draws you to the field and any relevant experiences, even if they're volunteer gigs or university projects. Show us your enthusiasm, and don't hold back on your stories!
Showcase Your Writing Skills:PR is all about strong communication! Include samples of your writing—whether that’s press releases, blog posts, or social media content—in your application. If you have a portfolio or something similar, definitely attach it. This is where you can truly demonstrate your flair for captivating content.
Tailor Your CV to the PR World:When crafting your CV, highlight any relevant coursework or projects that demonstrate your understanding of PR concepts. Include any internships, volunteer work, or even part-time roles where you had to communicate effectively or manage public relations tasks—this will help us see your fit for the role at RNLI.
Flexibility is Key:Since this is a part-time role, make sure to mention your availability clearly in your application. Are you a student juggling classes, or do you have other commitments? Being upfront about your schedule helps us plan better and shows that you’re considerate of our needs too. We want to find a mutually beneficial arrangement!
How to prepare for a job interview at RNLI
✨Know Your Buzzwords
Public relations is all about communication, so make sure you're up-to-date with the latest buzzwords and trends in the industry. Brush up on terms like 'media relations', 'stakeholder engagement', and 'crisis management', as they might come up in conversation with RNLI.
✨Show Off Your Portfolio
As you're applying for a part-time role, it’s crucial to showcase your past work. Prepare a portfolio with examples of press releases, media kits, or campaigns you've contributed to. This tangible evidence of your skills can set you apart and demonstrate your hands-on experience to RNLI.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions, like handling a PR crisis or managing a challenging client relationship. Think about past experiences where you've had to think on your feet, as these reflective examples will show your problem-solving abilities and how you work under pressure.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility
Since it's a part-time role, make sure to emphasise your availability and how you can fit into RNLI's schedule. Speak about your ability to manage multiple projects or juggle responsibilities, as the PR environment is fast-paced and needs someone who can adapt quickly.
