Regional Communications Officer & Clerk to Governors in Colchester

Part‑time, 39 weeks per year (term time plus inset days). 32.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday 8.30am‑3.30pm, with flexibility to accommodate late afternoon meetings. Reports to the Regional Business Manager, with links to the People & Culture team and the Director of Opportunity and the academies' Senior Leadership Team.

Responsibilities

• Brand Gatekeeper: Act as the brand gatekeeper for all public‑facing documents and ensure the academies' brand standards are adhered to in all communication media.
• Strategy & Delivery: Map out and deliver the academies' marketing strategy across the academic year, including events, admissions and open days.
• Digital Leadership: Manage the academies' social media platforms, promote news and events in line with safeguarding and branding requirements, and ensure statutory requirements through the schools' websites.
• Community Cohesion: Work collaboratively to increase community cohesion with the local communities surrounding the academies.
• Fundraising: Work with the Director of Opportunity and the academies' SLT to identify funding sources and prepare and submit timely bids.
• Lettings Management: Manage and oversee lettings at each academy, acting as the day‑to‑day point of contact.
• Governance and Clerking – Advisory Guidance: Advise the Local Governing Body (LGB) on its core functions, regulatory framework, governance legislation and procedural matters before, during and after meetings.
• Governance and Clerking – Meeting Administration: Work with the Chair and Headteacher to prepare focused agendas, liaise for papers, ensure meetings are quorate and draft and circulate accurate minutes.
• Compliance: Ensure statutory policies are in place and revised when necessary, and update GIAS websites to accurately reflect the structure of the LGB.

Qualifications and Experience

• Strong experience in communications, copywriting, public relations or a closely associated field, preferably in Primary school public relations.
• Strong experience in carrying out complex administrative tasks.
• Working knowledge of marketing procedures and practices.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with strong listening skills.
• High level of ICT experience, including design packages, Google Suite, and/or MS Office and word processing, and the ability to update websites.
• Ability to plan, organise and prioritise workloads under pressure to meet deadlines.
• Excellent attention to detail, aligned with brand standards.
• English and Maths to GCSE/Standard Grade or equivalent (at least Grade 4/C).
• Experience as a Clerk to Governors or a similar governance role is desirable.

Equality, Diversity and Accessibility

All appointments are subject to safer recruitment requirements to ensure the safeguarding of children and young people. All positions will involve appropriate checks and clearances. We welcome applications from all suitable candidates, regardless of any protected characteristic. If you require any adjustments to the recruitment process to enable you to participate as your authentic self, please let us know.