Immediate start jobs in Beaconsfield, buckinghamshire

Communications Officer - Six Month Contract

About Us 

The Early Education and Childcare Coalition unites the voices of parents, children, providers, early years professionals and the wider business community, working together for investment and reform of early education and childcare in England. 

We believe that we all benefit from a well-functioning early education system and we all have a role to play in ensuring it works for children, parents and the economy. 

We are backed by some of the most high-profile campaign and research organisations in the UK. Our members include early years provider membership bodies, parent campaign groups, early childhood experts, trade unions, the business lobby, anti-poverty campaigners and NGOs. Together, we use our collective voice and research to build public and political support for early education and childcare. And it’s worked. Thanks to the dedication of our members, early years is one of the top priorities for the government’s Plan for Change. 

But our work isn’t done – we have an ambitious agenda to ‘rescue and reform’ the system, ensuring that: 

• Every child can access high-quality education and care that their parents can afford and that will support them to thrive 

• Every provider is funded fairly for the places they offer 

• Every early years professional is rewarded and recognised for the skilled work they do 

This is an exciting time to join the Coalition. We have experienced significant growth in recent years and with early years firmly on the policy agenda, we expect this to continue.

We are now looking for a Communications Officer to help us tell compelling stories, engage key audiences and ensure our communications activity is delivered to a consistently high standard. 

About the Role 

Hours: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week. We may consider 4 days per week with Tuesday or Wednesday as a non-working day. 

Duration: Six month contract, renewed subject to funding. 

Location: Home-working within the UK, with occasional travel for team meetings, events and member engagement. 

Annual Full-time Salary: £33,500 per annum, pro-rated for a 6 month contract.

Start date: Immediate start

 
 
 
As Communications Officer, you will play a central role in delivering the Coalition's day-to-day communications activity. Working with the Head of Campaigns and Communications you will help ensure that our research, campaigns and policy work reach the audiences that matter, from journalists and policymakers to providers, parents and coalition members. 

This is a hands-on role for someone who enjoys creating engaging content, spotting opportunities, managing multiple priorities and working as part of a small, ambitious team. 

You will support our social media presence, coordinate newsletters and member communications, monitor media coverage and enquiries, and help ensure that the Coalition's voice is consistent, timely and impactful. 

 
About You 

You are an excellent communicator with strong writing skills and an eye for detail. You enjoy creating engaging content, can manage competing priorities and are excited by the opportunity to help shape public debate on issues affecting children, families and the early years workforce. 

You are proactive, organised and comfortable working independently within a remote team. You are equally happy drafting newsletter copy, responding to urgent journalist enquiries or creating graphics for social media. 

What You Can Expect To Be Doing 

Deliver the Coalition's social media activity 

• Monitor the Coalition's social media channels on a day-to-day basis.

• Create engaging content across platforms, including graphics, video and written posts.

• Maintain content calendars and schedule content.

• Monitor sector conversations, emerging issues and engagement opportunities.

• Support the delivery of campaign moments, events and report launches.

• Track performance and provide regular reports.

Support media and press activity 

• Monitor media coverage relating to early education, childcare and the workforce.

• Manage incoming media enquiries and work with the Head of Communications and Campaigns to deliver timely responses.

• Maintain media monitoring systems and coverage reports.

• Support relationships with journalists and media stakeholders.

Produce high-quality content 

• Draft and distribute newsletters for members, supporters and stakeholders.

• Write website content, blogs and other communications materials.

• Support the development of campaign messaging and communications assets.

• Ensure content is accessible, accurate and aligned with the Coalition's tone of voice.

Support member and stakeholder engagement 

• Support the promotion of publications and campaigns 

• Assist with the delivery of Coalition events 

• Assist with maintaining contact databases

• Respond to general communications enquiries

Contribute to a small and ambitious team 

• Support colleagues with communications advice and delivery.

• Contribute to planning, team meetings and organisational development.

• Undertake other duties consistent with the role as required.

Person Specification 

Essential 

• Experience working in a communications, media, marketing or public affairs role 

• Excellent written communication skills and the ability to write for different audiences and channels 

• Experience working with social media accounts in a professional setting and creating engaging digital content 

• Experience supporting media relations or press office activity 

• Experience using Canva, Adobe Creative Suite or similar design software 

• Experience drafting newsletters and using email marketing platforms 

• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities 

• Excellent attention to detail 

• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a small team 

• Commitment to the Coalition's mission and values 

Desirable 

• Experience working in a charity, campaigning, membership or policy environment 

• Understanding of early education and childcare policy in England and the challenges currently facing the system 

• Experience using website content management systems (Squarespace preferred)

• Experience using CRM systems to maintain records

• Experience of event planning and promotion

• Proven ability to work flexibly as part of a small, remote team

The Application Process 

Please apply with: 

• A CV (maximum two pages).

• A cover letter (maximum two pages) explaining your interest in the role and how your experience meets the person specification. We recognise that the use of AI technologies can be useful in reducing the work that goes into job-hunting, however, we kindly request that you use your cover letter to evidence that you have understood the requirements of the role and provide examples of how you can meet the criteria. 

The EECC is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and are committed to building a diverse team that reflects the communities we seek to serve. 

Recruitment Timeline 

As this role is for an immediate start, we will be conducting interviews on a rolling basis until the post is filled.