Executive director of brand and communications jobs in barry, vale of glamorgan
Help us speak up for Scotland’s seas
Open Seas is a small, ambitious, and fast-growing environmental charity on a mission to protect and restore marine life around Scotland. We expose harmful practices, challenge bad policy, and work alongside fishers, communities and scientists to bring our seas back to life.
We’re looking for a dynamic Head of Communications to lead our external communications, shape compelling campaigns, and help us punch far above our weight.
Why join us?
We are a team of eight and we spend a lot of time out on the water and along the coast investigating damage, gathering evidence, filming, photographing, and engaging people face-to-face. We own a boat and do our own fieldwork. We take pride in turning complex science and policy into clear, motivating messages that cut through to media, decision-makers and the public.
You will work closely with our Director and Operations Lead as part of the senior management team bringing creative leadership and strategic direction to our comms team. This is your chance to help shape an organisation with growing public influence, strong legal wins, and a track record of impact in one of the most important environmental issues in Scotland, and the rest of the UK.
Who we’re looking for
We are looking for a natural storyteller and strategic thinker. You know how to land a headline, write a great campaign plan, and build lasting relationships with a range of people (journalists, supporters and other stakeholders). You will be comfortable translating science into tweets and research into narrative. You care deeply about nature, especially life under the waves.
You might have worked in campaigns, public affairs, journalism or the charity sector. You may have led a team, or be ready to step into a leadership role. Most of all, you want to make a difference.
What is the role?
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Lead all external communications across the organisation
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Develop and deliver bold, values-led campaign comms
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Manage and grow communications staff and freelancers
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Shape our digital presence, media strategy and brand
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Collaborate closely with our campaign, legal and research teams
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Help us grow our reach, profile and impact
What we offer
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A flexible, friendly and passionate team
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Opportunity to shape a growing organisation
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Meaningful work with real-world impact
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Time outdoors from field investigations to coastal storytelling
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Remote and flexible working, with travel across Scotland
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Supportive, collaborative environment with space to lead
To apply, please submit your CV and a short covering letter explaining why you’re the right fit for this role by 25/07/25
Please note we are unable to consider application without a covering letter
We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and communities. If you’d like to chat informally before applying, please get in touch.
Registered Charity
6 - 10
We investigate threats to our seas, conduct research, and campaign for sustainable fisheries.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Job description
We’re looking for an enthusiastic Communications and Events Coordinator lead the development and delivery of Khulisa’s communications strategy and key campaigns, designed to engage our supporters, stakeholders, and the wider UK public.
About Khulisa:
Khulisa, meaning 'nurture' in the Zulu language of South Africa, is an award-winning charity dedicated to providing therapeutic support to young people. We focus on reaching those who are most at risk – young people from deprived communities who are often marginalized, vulnerable to exclusion, and at heightened risk of becoming involved in crime.
Our approach centres on safe, exploratory methods that aim to understand behaviour and experiences often rooted in trauma, abuse, and neglect. We deliver intensive therapeutic programs within educational and community settings, empowering young people to confront the underlying causes of their emotional distress and work toward healing. To create lasting, sustainable change, we also work to establish trauma-informed environments around young people by equipping parents, caregivers, educators, and other professionals with the tools they need to offer effective, supportive care. Currently, our services are active in London and Manchester.
About the role:
This role will be a key part of helping to raise awareness of Khulisa’s mission and the issues we address, strengthening support for our programmes. The postholders will also take ownership of planning and delivering all Khulisa events, ensuring they are impactful and well-executed.
- Develop and deliver Khulisa’s Communications and Branding Strategy in line with the strategic plan.
- Lead public engagement campaigns to raise awareness, promote youth voice, and drive participation.
- Plan and manage events, including fundraising and challenge events, from concept to delivery.
- Create and manage digital content across social media, website, newsletters, and other channels.
- Recruit and supervise volunteers to support communications and event-related activities.
For a full list of duties and responsibilities, please see the attached job description below.
The post holder will be required to work from home permanently but be willing and able to easily travel to various locations across the London and the North West as necessary to fulfill the requirements of the role and to engage with stakeholders and colleagues.
What we're looking for:
1. Abilities/Experiences
- Experience in digital campaigning and digital content creation.
- Experience of planning and delivering events, including fundraising events, liaising with partners, suppliers and colleagues.
- Excellent written, copywriting and editing skills and proven ability to communicate campaigning messages in a compelling, succinct and engaging way.
- Experience creating digital content for a variety of audiences, including experience of using a range of digital software and tools, and knowledge of message testing and optimisation.
- Experience in designing popular, results-oriented and successful campaigns.
- Ability to use design software (such as InDesign, Canva, Photoshop and Illustrator).
- Experience working within a close-knit team in a busy and fast paced working environment.
- Demonstrable ability to plan and prioritise own workload with minimum supervision.
- Ability to buy strongly into strategic objectives and reflect passion for Khulisa’s work with and for young people.
- Experience of using Salesforce or similar CRM system as well as all-in-one marketing platform such as
- Mailchimp to deliver effective long-term public engagement.
- Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends when required.
2. Qualifications
- Relevant qualification in Project Management, Events Management or Communications, or equivalent years of experience.
3. Knowledge/Skills
- Knowledge of relevant software and digital tools to deliver effective long-term public engagement and digital fundraising campaigns.
- Strong knowledge of WordPress or similar website builder.
- Knowledge of best practice in digital fundraising.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: We are actively looking to recruit a diversity of talent. We embrace, respect and value the difference in our employees and believe that we and our work is better for it. We are committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive environment that consists of fairness, dignity, and caring for everyone, and one that enables every employee to flourish and realise their potential.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: FRIDAY 8TH AUGUST AT 12 NOON
To apply, please submit a CV and Covering Letter, both of which should be no more than two pages, outlining how your skills and experience meet the requirements for the role as laid out in the Job Description.
We advise candidates to review the attached Job Description prior to applying, to see if this role and organisation is a good fit for you.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.