At a Glance
- Tasks: Create engaging content and manage communications for a heritage restoration project.
- Company: Join a passionate team dedicated to restoring Stroud’s canals.
- Benefits: Flexible working, excellent pension, and employee wellbeing support.
- Other info: Be part of a nationally significant project with great career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in your community while developing your communication skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in communications and social media management is preferred.
The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.
Temporary, fixed term contract until December 2027. Join us and help tell the story of one of Gloucestershire's most exciting heritage and community projects. Cotswold Canals Connected (CCC) is a major restoration project, funded by the National Heritage Lottery Fund, to restore Stroud’s waterways and reconnect them to the national network. The project is seeking a creative and enthusiastic Communications Officer to help engage communities with the restoration and celebration of the Stroud canals.
Working as part of our Community Engagement Team, you'll play a key role in delivering the project's communication plan and building connections between people and the heritage of Stroud’s canals.
About the Role
This is an exciting opportunity for a communications professional who enjoys creating engaging content and working directly with communities. You'll develop and deliver communications campaigns, manage our digital channels, produce newsletters, identify media opportunities, and support community engagement activities and events. You'll work closely with project partners, voluntary organisations, and Stroud District Council's Communications Team to create a narrative that brings a broad range of audiences along on the restoration journey.
Key Responsibilities
- Deliver the Cotswold Canals Connected Communications Plan.
- Create engaging content across digital and traditional communication channels.
- Manage and grow CCC's social media presence across Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.
- Produce public-facing reports and promotional materials.
- Identify and maximise opportunities to reach key audiences and stakeholders.
- Support community engagement activities, events and public information sessions.
- Monitor communications performance through website and social media analytics.
- Maintain an organised archive of project images, videos and media content.
- Contribute communications updates to project boards and funding reports.
About You
We’re looking for someone who combines creativity with excellent organisational skills and a passion for community engagement. You’ll ideally have:
- Experience working in a communications, marketing or public engagement role.
- Experience managing social media platforms and creating engaging content.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- A creative approach to reaching different audiences.
- The ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
- Confidence engaging with community groups, partners and members of the public.
- An understanding of the voluntary and community sector.
- A genuine interest in local heritage, the environment or community engagement would be highly advantageous.
- Experience working with volunteers or in the voluntary, public or not-for-profit sectors would also be welcomed.
You’ll be joining a passionate team working on a nationally significant heritage and community project that is making a lasting difference across the district.
CLOSING DATE: 11th October 2026
INTERVIEW DATE: 20th & 21st October 2026
In exchange for your expertise, experience and enthusiasm we provide a range of staff benefits. We are committed to supporting all employees through this transition and ensuring continuity of employment wherever possible. Joining us now means you’ll be part of shaping an exciting new chapter for local government. It is important that our staff reflect the diversity of our community, and we therefore welcome and encourage applications from people of all genders and sexual orientation, those from Black, Asian and other minority ethnic backgrounds, and people with disabilities. We welcome applications from neurodivergent candidates and value the diverse lived experiences they bring. We recognise the wide range of cognitive strengths that contribute to delivering high-quality services.
We are committed to ensuring that every applicant can participate fully and fairly in our recruitment process. To support this, we offer workplace adjustments at every stage. Please let us know if you have any additional requirements as we are here to help create a positive, inclusive, and equitable experience for all. Responsible recruitment practices for safeguarding are in place within the Council’s HR policies and processes. This is part of our commitment as a Council to safeguard the welfare of vulnerable adults, young people, and children.
Stroud District has an energy unlike any other place. It’s green and dynamic, climate conscious and motivated, creative and collaborative, and unapologetically ambitious.
Region: Ebley Mill - Stroud
Salary: GBP 34,811 pro rata
Package: Excellent pension scheme - Flexi Working Scheme - Hybrid working approach - Employee Wellbeing Offer
Contractual hours: 22.2
Basis: Temporary
Communications Officer (Cotswold Canals Connected) (Temporary) (Part Time) - Ebley Mill - Stroud in Charlton employer: Stroud District Council
Stroud District Council is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to work in the picturesque Cotswolds while championing sustainability and community engagement. With a strong commitment to employee wellbeing, flexible working arrangements, and a focus on professional development, we foster a collaborative and inclusive work culture that empowers our staff to make a meaningful impact. Join us in shaping the future of local government and enjoy a rewarding career with excellent benefits, including a robust pension scheme and support for diverse needs.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Communications Officer (Cotswold Canals Connected) (Temporary) (Part Time) - Ebley Mill - Stroud in Charlton
✨Join PR Communities
Get involved in local PR groups or online communities where professionals gather to share opportunities and insights. Engage in conversations on platforms like Twitter or LinkedIn—spotting temporary roles often happens in these spaces.
✨Attend PR Events
Look for industry events, workshops, or conferences that focus on public relations. Not only will you learn from the pros, but you might also meet someone who's looking for temporary help, which is perfect for a gig like this!
✨Showcase Your Skills
Create a portfolio that highlights any past PR work, campaigns, or even university projects. Share it on your social media or PR forums—you want to make sure your great work is visible when the right temporary role comes up.
✨Apply Directly on Our Website
When you spot a temporary PR role with companies like Stroud District Council, don't hesitate to apply directly through our website. You'll be on the front line, making it easier for you to get noticed!
We think you need these skills to ace Communications Officer (Cotswold Canals Connected) (Temporary) (Part Time) - Ebley Mill - Stroud in Charlton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:When you're applying for a temporary role in public relations, your cover letter is your chance to show off your passion for the field. Highlight any relevant PR experience you have, even if it's just through internships or volunteer work. Tell us why you're excited about the opportunity at Stroud District Council and how you can help make an impact, even in a short time!
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Public relations is all about communicating effectively, so make sure your CV reflects this! Use clear, concise language and showcase any writing samples you might have, such as press releases, blog posts, or social media campaigns. Including a link to a portfolio could really set you apart from other candidates.
Demonstrate Flexibility and Adaptability:Since this is a temporary role, we want to see how quickly you can jump in and start contributing. Mention past experiences where you successfully managed multiple tasks or quickly adapted to changing situations. It’s these qualities that will show us you can thrive at Stroud District Council even on a short-term basis!
Research Stroud District Council and the Industry:Before submitting your application, take some time to learn about Stroud District Council and its approach to PR. Mention anything specific you like about their campaigns or strategies in your cover letter. This extra effort shows us you're genuinely interested and ready to bring your unique perspective to the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Stroud District Council
✨Brush Up on Your Crisis Management Skills
In public relations, handling crises is key. Be ready to discuss past situations where you managed communication challenges effectively. Bring examples that showcase your quick thinking and strategic response – they want to see you in action!
✨Show Off Your Portfolio of Campaigns
Since this is a temporary role, showcasing your portfolio is crucial. Make sure you have a collection of your best press releases, campaign plans, or media coverage. You want to prove you can hit the ground running and bring valuable experience to Stroud District Council right away!
✨Know Your Media Landscape
A strong PR candidate should be familiar with the media landscape. Brush up on key journalists, publications, and current trends in communications. Think about how you’d tailor messages to different media outlets – you might get asked about this during the interview!
✨Be Ready to Discuss Networking Strategies
Networking is a big part of PR work, especially in a temporary role. Be prepared to chat about your previous networking experiences or how you plan to build key relationships quickly at Stroud District Council. They’ll want to know you can create buzz and leverage your connections immediately!
