Yorkshire Wildlife Trust is one of the UK’s fastest growing nature conservation organisations and seeks to appoint a Communications and Engagement Manager (Maternity Cover).
This maternity cover role sits within our Marine Programme, reporting to the Marine Programme Manager and based in either York or Spurn, with hybrid working. Our mission is to drive nature’s recovery in Yorkshire across our land and at sea, and you will play a central part in telling the story of our marine work. Leading the Marine Programme’s communications and engagement, you will turn the technical updates, stories and images from our project teams into accurate, engaging content that inspires people to care about Yorkshire’s seas and coast, while making sure our marine activity supports the Trust’s wider priorities.
You will develop and deliver the Marine Programme’s communications and engagement strategy, annual plan and campaign plans, agreeing priorities project by project with programme managers. You will lead our marine social media, press and media activity, writing press releases, handling media enquiries and producing content for websites, newsletters and publications. Working closely with project teams, partners, The Wildlife Trusts and our central Communications and Engagement teams, you will plan our contribution to campaigns such as National Marine Week, support a programme of priority events, coordinate partnership communications and manage contractors such as filmmakers and photographers. You will also provide editorial advice to colleagues and evaluate the impact of our communications to shape future plans.
You will bring experience of developing and delivering communications strategies and campaigns, managing proactive and reactive media activity, and planning social media output for different audiences. You will be an excellent writer and editor, able to translate technical or complex information into clear, compelling stories, with sound judgement when handling sensitive issues. Strong organisational skills and attention to detail will help you manage competing priorities, approvals and deadlines, and you will be confident working collaboratively and influencing colleagues, partners and the public. Experience of commissioning communications suppliers, working in the environmental or charitable sector, or knowledge of marine conservation would be an advantage. A full UK driving licence and willingness to work occasional weekends and irregular hours are essential.
How to apply:
Please submit an up-to-date CV and supporting statement. When writing your supporting statement, please ensure you describe your relevant knowledge, skills and experience aligned to the Person Specification within the Job Description. Please be aware that if you only submit a CV, your application may not be considered.
Please DO NOT include any personal details (name, address etc) on your supporting statement.
Closing date: 29 November 2026 at midnight
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive a high volume of suitable applications. We therefore encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible.
Interview date: 15 December 2026
Please note that applications received after the closing deadline may not be considered. The Trust regrets that it is unable to give feedback on unsuccessful applications.
We want our people to flourish, just like nature, and so we are committed to creating a movement that recognises and truly values individual differences and identities. We value diversity and creating an inclusive culture where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential.
We are also a member of the Disability Confident Scheme. This means we are committed to offering an interview to disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the post. Where a post is oversubscribed (i.e. there are more candidates meeting the minimum criteria than we can offer interviews to), we will carefully balance inviting a mix of the highest scoring disabled and non-disabled applicants.
