Communications officer jobs

OVERVIEW OF ROLE

Beacon is seeking a creative, organised, and digitally savvy Digital Content and Communications Officer, whose role will focus on two main areas: delivering day-to-day communications and supporting digital projects.

At the heart of this role is driving engagement with Beacon’s events and projects, strengthening our community connections, and communicating our impact clearly and effectively. You will coordinate content across multiple channels - including social media, email, newsletters, and the Beacon website - and monitor the effectiveness of these communications. This includes writing copy, creating graphics and video content, scheduling and publishing materials, and engaging with the rare disease community on behalf of Beacon. You will also drive promotional and outreach activity, helping connect with patient groups, partners, and wider networks to amplify Beacon’s work.

You will support The Resources Hub (our e-learning platform) by assisting with uploading, formatting, publishing, and updating content. As you grow in the role and depending on your skills and capacity, there may be opportunities to contribute to content development, coordinate volunteers and external partners, or assist with other digital projects, such as podcast production, video series, or multimedia content.

While the focus and direction of your work will stem from ongoing events, projects, and organisational priorities, you will have the opportunity to take ownership of your work and play a key role in driving communications forward. You will collaborate closely with the Digital Resources Manager, COO, and wider Beacon team to gather information, shape messaging, and ensure content is accurate, timely, and aligned with organisational goals.

Working at Beacon

Beacon is a small, close-knit team of 10 people. We are friendly, supportive, and highly collaborative, and we value working closely together. At the same time, in a small organisation, everyone is expected to take responsibility for their work, demonstrate initiative, and confidently manage their day-to-day tasks.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working independently, is proactive in keeping work moving, and takes pride in following tasks through to completion, whilst collaborating effectively with colleagues and knowing when to seek input or support.

Training and support will be provided across all of Beacon’s platforms and software, making this an excellent opportunity for someone seeking a junior or early-stage role in digital content in the charity sector.

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MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Gather information, insights, and key messages from colleagues across the organisation to guide content priorities for communications.
• Draft and schedule social media posts across Beacon’s channels (Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook) using Hootsuite, ensuring a consistent flow of content.
• Engage with the rare disease community on social media, responding to comments, shares, and messages in Beacon’s voice, and actively interacting with posts from patient groups, partners, and other relevant organisations.
• Facilitate the bi-weekly newsletters on Mailchimp and LinkedIn, including drafting copy, formatting content, and scheduling.
• Liaise with colleagues across the organisation and, where necessary, coordinate input from team members to ensure communications tasks are delivered effectively.
• Support website updates in WordPress and Divi, including uploading news posts, blogs, homepage banners, and other routine page updates, as well as drafting copy as needed.
• Assist with maintaining The Resources Hub by uploading, formatting, publishing, and updating content.
• Create graphics and simple videos using Photoshop/Premier Elements and Canva, using templates initially and gradually developing skills to produce original content, ensuring all visual material aligns with Beacon’s branding guidelines.
• Support promotional and outreach activities, connecting with patient groups, partners, and wider networks to amplify Beacon’s work.
• Monitor the impact of communications on engagement with Beacon’s activities.
• Capture content and provide live updates at key events, including social posts, photos, testimonials, and short videos to engage the community in real time.
• Assist with the preparation of materials in the lead-up to major events and support on-the-day event delivery alongside other team members.
• Provide ad hoc support to projects as required, in line with capacity.
• Attend and represent Beacon at external events.

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PERSON SPECIFICATION

This is a junior or early-stage role in digital content and communications, offering the opportunity to gain hands-on experience across multiple channels in a small, supportive team. We’re looking for someone enthusiastic, proactive, and eager to develop their skills whilst making a real difference at Beacon.

Essential

• Strong written communication skills, with an excellent understanding of the English language, and a keen eye for clear, engaging copy.
• Highly organised, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, timelines, and deadlines.
• Proactive and self-motivated, with the initiative to keep work moving and see tasks through to completion.
• Eager and enthusiastic to learn new software, systems, and digital tools, and willing to develop skills in innovative digital content creation.
• Strong attention to detail and pride in producing high-quality work, with a focus on accuracy, consistency, and fine design elements.
• Adaptable, with the ability to stay focused, resourceful, and effective in a dynamic environment.
• Proficient in internal communication, able to work collaboratively with colleagues and peers.
• Ability to reflect on work, identify opportunities for improvement and enhance processes and outcomes. 
• Positive attitude and commitment to contributing to a small team environment where every individual makes a real difference.
• Collaborative and open, engaging in constructive feedback to drive personal and team development.
• A commitment to Beacon’s mission and desire to represent the charity with professionalism and integrity.

Desirable

• Experience in digital content creation (copywriting, graphics, or video production) through work, volunteering, or student societies.
• Experience posting or engaging on social media or drafting written content for different audiences.
• Familiarity with charity or not-for-profit environments.
• An understanding of rare diseases, medical science, health charities, or small-organisation dynamics.

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FLEXIBLE WORKING

We offer flexible working practices to support a healthy balance between personal and professional life, including hybrid working and flexible hours. Our hybrid working policy requires staff to be office-based for at least 50% of their working time.

Given the high level of cross-team collaboration involved in the Digital Content and Communications Officer role, regular in-person working is particularly important. Following an initial in-person onboarding period, our preference is for this role to be based in the office for at least three days per week on average, to support effective communication and smooth day-to-day working.

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SEE OUR JOB DESCRIPTION FOR A FULL OVERVIEW AND FURTHER INFORMATION ON OUR BENEFITS 

The Multiple System Atrophy Trust (MSA Trust) is the UK and Eire’s leading national charity offering vital support to people affected by MSA – a terminal neurodegenerative disease. 

About the Role

To lead on the Trust’s Policy and Communications work. To ensure our strategy and work in this area is led by the specific needs of people affected by MSA. This will require effective contact between the Trust and people affected by MSA, a range of health and care professionals; in order to develop their engagement in a professional and supportive way. To be an ambassador for change in wider society, working in the best interests of people affected by MSA. To develop and ensure effective external communications and dialogue with people affected by MSA and facilitate positive collaboration with other relevant agencies and policymakers. To co-ordinate marketing and clear messaging to key stakeholders.

To promote the development of this element of work within the MSA Trust, which may include future line management responsibility as the work develops.

Key Responsibilities:

• Work with the CEO, internal teams, Services Committee, and other colleagues to set and deliver an integrated Policy and External Communications strategy for the MSA Trust. 
• Be responsible for the development and delivery of an operational plan with targets and be accountable for the budget in this area.
• Lead on policy and campaigning work, ensuring priorities reflect the views of people with MSA.
• Be responsible for the Trust’s external communications and messaging.  
• Be responsible for ensuring that the development and output of our communications and policy work are inclusive and reflect the diversity of our MSA community.
• Play a key role in the development and effectiveness of national and local voluntary networks that support shared ambitions for the neurology sector.
• Play a key role in the production of MSA News – the Trust’s flagship publication for members.
• Work closely with colleagues to ensure our services are compliant with relevant policies, procedures and relevant legislative frameworks.
• Create positive relationships with MSA Trust colleagues, Trustees, and external networks to share knowledge, insight and evidence.

General Responsibilities

• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the level of the role.
• Embrace diversity and share in the MSA Trust’s commitment to equality of opportunity and to eliminating discrimination.
• Work closely with the Fundraising Team to build fundable propositions and build relationships with supporters.
• Use the charity’s resources efficiently and effectively to ensure that our financial resources are demonstrably used for the benefit of our service users.
• Ensure that information is obtained, used and stored in accordance with our Data Protection and Confidentiality policies.
• Maintain compliance and adherence with all processes to ensure good governance.
• Develop a deep understanding of the issues facing people affected by MSA across the UK and Ireland, including the Health, Social Care and Welfare landscape.

We will not accept applications without a covering statement. Please ensure in your covering letter you mention any dates you might not be available for interview.

We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion.