Communications Officer

Communications Officer Job Description

The Leanchoil Project

The Leanchoil Project was borne out of a desire by the community of the Forres area to save, conserve and repurpose the former Leanchoil hospital which was closed by NHS Grampian in 2018. To achieve this Leanchoil Trust is undertaking a community asset transfer (CAT) of the hospital site and is working with partners to deliver its vision of a community health and wellbeing centre, veterans’ activity centre and supported living accommodation. 

The CAT process is nearing completion, with conditional missives concluded, and it is anticipated that transfer of ownership will be achieved in late 2024. There will then follow a 2-year construction period with the opening of the Leanchoil Centre scheduled for late 2026. The Trust has spent the last 4 years building relationships with key partners (Hanover Housing, Erskine Veterans’ Charity, and Scottish Ambulance Service).  It is working with a wide range of organisations to develop a robust and sustainable business model for Leanchoil to ensure its future as a heritage community asset. The Trust is embarking on a capital fundraising programme to raise £4.5 million for the renovation. Alongside this, it needs to ensure the community and stakeholders are fully engaged to inform the development of services and facilities to be delivered. The Trust is at a point where it urgently needs to increase staff capacity as the project enters the next stage of development.

Leanchoil Trust (The Trust)

The Trust was established in 2020 and is a company limited by guarantee with charitable status. There is a board of 9 volunteer Trustees who all live in the Forres area and who are passionate about saving Leanchoil and finding a sustainable future for it. They are supported in their work by a Development Officer and Project Coordinator (Technical). The Trust is dependent on grants, donations and fundraising to deliver its work.

ROLE DESCRIPTION 

Job Title: Communications Officer

Location: Homeworking

Contractual Status of Role: Part-time (0.4 FTE) 15 hours per week. Fixed-term self-employed contract to 31 March 2025 (extension possible subject to funding)

Salary: £28,000 per annum (£11,200 pro rata)

Job Purpose: To work with Trustees and the Development Officer to support the development and delivery of:

• communications and engagement strategy
• corporate and local fundraising campaign

Main duties and responsibilities

• Build on existing work to develop and deliver the Trust’s communications and engagement strategy.
• Work with the Trust’s web designer to ensure its website is relevant and up to date.
• Identify, activate, and manage social media platforms to raise the profile of the project and the Trust’s work.  
• Increase the number of members through engagement and campaigns.
• Produce high-quality materials for presentations, reports, events, and articles.
• Plan and write press releases and prepare responses to media enquiries.
• Help organise and attend stakeholder and community engagement events.
• Monitor stakeholder engagement to support funding applications.
• Work with Trustees and the DO to plan and deliver a corporate and local fundraising campaign.
• Work with Trustees and the DO to develop and deliver a volunteer strategy. 
• Ensure compliance with legal requirements (IP, GDPR, etc.) 

General

• Have a flexible approach to work to accommodate the changing nature of the project. 
• Represent Leanchoil Trust in a way that is consistent with its values.
• Contribute any other duties as may be reasonably required.  
   

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Qualifications

• Graduate qualification in relevant discipline and/or equivalent experience.

Experience
Essential:

• Experience in delivering a communication and engagement programme. 
• Experience in managing social media platforms.

Desirable:

• Experience in engaging with people in interactive and creative ways.

Knowledge
Desirable

• Understanding of data protection and IP.
• Understanding of online donation platforms and gift aid.
• Understanding of cultural heritage. 

Skills
Essential:

• Excellent communication skills and a ‘can do’ approach.
• Excellent copywriting skills.
• Excellent IT and social media skills.
• Excellent relationship-building and interpersonal skills

Additional Requirements
Essential:

• Ability to plan and prioritise workload.
• Flexible approach with an ability to meet deadlines.
• Excellent organisational skills.
• Commitment to work alongside and support volunteers.
• A good team player willing to work in a small team.
• Undertake any other reasonable and related tasks allocated by the Trust.

Desirable

• Experience of working in the 3rd Sector.
• Good local knowledge.

Requirements

To apply: 

Please send a cover letter (no more than two sides of A4) explaining your experience and how you meet the role description and person specification, along with a copy of your CV (no more than two sides of A4) to info@leanchoiltrust.org

Closing date for applications: 5 pm on Friday 17 May 2024.

Interviews will take place week beginning 27 May 2024.