Communications and Narratives Lead

WSC is a Scottish charity working in partnership with migrant workers at risk of exploitation across Scotland to secure their rights, challenge labour exploitation, build collective power, and drive lasting law and policy change. We are an evidence-led, worker-driven organisation with strong governance and a growing track record of policy impact. 

The Communications and Narratives Lead will work closely with, and be line managed by, the Executive Director, who sets the strategic direction, editorial oversight and quality standards for WSC's communications.

The postholder will lead the day-to-day delivery of WSC's communications and narrative change activity, creating compelling content across digital, print and social channels, supporting media and press work, and playing a central role in delivering WSC's Communications Strategy. This includes helping to build and mobilise a worker-led movement, supporting coalition and ally relationships, and delivering campaign moments that build public and political support for decent work for all.

This is a lead role for someone who combines significant, demonstrable experience in communications with a genuine interest in organising, campaigning and movement-building. We are looking for someone with relevant professional training or development, for example in media relations, campaigning or organising, or framing and narrative approaches, who can bring self-starting, leadership to this role.

Key Responsibilities

Content & Channel Management

•     Develop and deliver WSC's Communications Strategy, supporting the development of strong narrative framing for engaging with our base, allies and potential/moveble audiences at the local, regional and national levels.

•     Lead the development of high-quality, values-led content across digital, print and offline channels, including the website, social media, email, newsletters, reports and campaign materials.

•     Manage and maintain WSC's social media channels, including planning content calendars, growing engagement, and monitoring performance.

•     Manage and update WSC's website and digital platforms, ensuring content is current, accessible and on-brand.

•     Maintain brand consistency, tone of voice and worker-centred storytelling across all communications.

•     Ensure consistent and impactful messaging across all communications platforms.

Media & External Relations

•     Draft press releases, briefings, statements and reactive lines, acting as a media spokesperson as well as supporting others in the organisation to do so.

•     Build and maintain working relationships with journalists, media outlets and sector partners to secure opportunities that foreground the experiences and analysis of workers.

•     Monitor media and online coverage (e.g. maintaining a media diary and social listening on key hashtags and terms) to spot shifts in language, sentiment and identify new communications opportunities.

Narrative change and movement building

•     Oversee message framings that activate our strategic narrative grounded in workers’ rights and values such as solidarity, equality, safety, collaboration and creativity.

•     Work with WSC colleagues, partners, artists, and researchers to develop and disseminate compelling storytelling content, including videos, articles, social media assets and artistic displays.

•     Lead on testing and refining messaging with workers, allies and the wider public, including by leading and running workshops.

•     Lead delivery of campaign moments and key dates ensuring worker voices are central and framing is consistent.

•     Help identify, brief and support workers and messengers to share their experiences through media, events and public forums.

•     Mobilise our base, allies and potential/moveable audiences around key policy opportunities, consultations and campaign moments, including public-facing activity aimed at growing WSC's movement of active supporters.

Stakeholder Engagement & Participation

•     Help organise and deliver worker and ally events (e.g. seasonal in-person events, message-testing sessions and framing workshops) that help refine WSC's messaging.

•     Build and maintain relationships with allies and coalition partners, including trade unions, human rights and housing organisations, food and farming networks, professional bodies and community organisations, supporting joint statements, shared briefings and coordinated campaign activity.

•     Work collaboratively with policy, casework and operations colleagues to ensure communications and movement-building activity supports organisational priorities.

•     Co-produce communications and campaign outputs with workers, including by attending worker power sessions, prioritising their voices, interests, concerns and ensuring safeguarding is central.

Administration, Monitoring & Oversight

•     Track and evaluate the effectiveness of WSC’s communications strategies, media coverage, and narrative change activities.

•     Maintain up-to-date communications databases, including segmenting contacts on Mailchimp and other contact/CRM systems.

•     Monitor, evaluate and report on communications and campaign performance, contributing to the evaluation of key moments against WSC's influencing aims.

•     Ensure all communications and campaign activity complies with legal, regulatory, safeguarding, data protection (GDPR) and charity requirements.

•     Manage freelancers, agencies or consultants (for example design or digital support) as directed by the Executive Director.