Communications Manager - Nature

Forestry Commission; Essex; Hybrid; GBP 40,000; Full time

Job summary

The Forestry Commission is seeking a skilled Communications Manager to enhance public understanding of their Biodiversity Programme. This role involves creating engaging content that tells the story of conservation efforts and engages diverse audiences. Proven communication skills, creativity, and project management are essential in this dynamic position focused on environmental storytelling.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Learning and development opportunities

Civil Service pension with employer contribution of 28.97%

Inclusivity and diversity culture

Qualifications

• Proven experience in communications/PR within conservation or similar sectors.
• Strong writing and storytelling skills across digital and print media.
• Ability to translate scientific information into accessible content.

Responsibilities

• Develop integrated communications plans to engage stakeholders and the public.
• Create compelling narratives across multiple channels.
• Provide crisis communications support and coordinate messaging with internal teams.

Skills

Storytelling

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Writing

Editing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Communications, Environmental Science or related field

Job description

The location of this role is flexible, within reach of a Forestry England office as a base (not expected to work from an office every day of the week). The post holder would be expected to have regular access to the National Office in Bristol to benefit from contact with the wider team. https://www.forestryengland.uk/our-offices

Job Summary

Forestry England is seeking a dynamic and skilled Communications Manager to bring the story of our Biodiversity Programme to life. This is an exciting opportunity to craft compelling narratives about our wild landscapes, species reintroductions and conservation efforts across the nation’s forests. From ancient woodlands to innovative habitat restoration, you will engage diverse audiences, building awareness and support for our vital work.

Reporting to the Senior Communications Manager, you will shape public perception, work with leading conservationists and champion nature’s recovery on a national scale. This role requires creativity, strategic thinking, and strong storytelling skills to ensure Forestry England’s biodiversity work is widely understood and celebrated.

Job Description

• Develop and deliver integrated communications plans, working with colleagues in the engagement team to engage the public, stakeholders and media in Forestry England’s biodiversity programme.
• Create engaging content across multiple channels including digital, social media, press and print, ensuring alignment with Forestry England’s tone of voice and brand guidelines.
• Work closely with biodiversity experts and conservationists to translate complex information into accessible and inspiring stories.
• Work closely with the national media and reputation and communications teams to develop media campaigns, press releases and case studies positioning Forestry England as a leader in nature recovery and conservation.
• Collaborate with internal teams, district communications leads and external partners to coordinate messaging and maximise impact.
• Use data analytics and audience insights to refine content strategies and measure success.
• Identify new opportunities to promote biodiversity work and proactively horizon scan for emerging trends in conservation storytelling.
• Provide crisis communications support, working closely with the media and reputation team, ensuring accurate and timely responses to biodiversity-related issues.
• Develop and deliver integrated communications plans, working with colleagues in the engagement team to engage the public, stakeholders and media in Forestry England’s biodiversity programme.
• Create engaging content across multiple channels including digital, social media, press and print, ensuring alignment with Forestry England’s tone of voice and brand guidelines.
• Work closely with biodiversity experts and conservationists to translate complex information into accessible and inspiring stories.
• Work closely with the national media and reputation and communications teams to develop media campaigns, press releases and case studies positioning Forestry England as a leader in nature recovery and conservation.
• Collaborate with internal teams, district communications leads and external partners to coordinate messaging and maximise impact.
• Use data analytics and audience insights to refine content strategies and measure success.
• Identify new opportunities to promote biodiversity work and proactively horizon scan for emerging trends in conservation storytelling.
• Provide crisis communications support, working closely with the media and reputation team, ensuring accurate and timely responses to biodiversity-related issues.
  
  

Person specification

Essential Professional And Technical Experience

• Proven experience in communications/PR ideally within the environment, conservation or science sectors.
• Strong ability to translate technical or scientific information into compelling stories for a wide range of audiences.
• Excellent writing, editing, and storytelling skills with experience across print, digital and social media.
• Track record of developing and managing integrated campaigns, using audience insights and analytics to refine approaches.
• Experience of stakeholder engagement, including working with media, NGOs, government agencies and corporate partners.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to juggle multiple priorities and deliver to deadlines.
• A self-starter, able to work independently while collaborating effectively across teams.
• Experience using digital tools, social media scheduling tools and analytics platforms.
• Passion for biodiversity, conservation and environmental storytelling.
  
  

Desirable Professional and Technical experience

• Experience in crisis communications or handling sensitive conservation topics.
• Understanding of policy and public affairs related to conservation and biodiversity.
  
  

Knowledge of video production, photography or podcasting as part of storytelling.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Managing a Quality Service
• Delivering at Pace
  
  

Alongside your salary of £39,135, Forestry Commission contributes £11,337 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
  
  

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

You will be asked to write a 200 word statement on your relevant experience and career history, along with a personal statement of no more than 500 words. You will be assessed on both during sifting. More details about how to apply are listed on the application form.

The Behaviours being assessed at interview are –

• Communicating and influencing
• Working together
• Managing a quality service
• Delivering at pace
  
  

Successful candidates will undergo a criminal record check and the government baseline personnel security standard check.

If you require any reasonable adjustments, please email [e-mail].

Read more about our application process and working with us on the Forestry England website.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job Contact

• Name : Forestry England Recruitment Team
• Email : [e-mail]
  
  

Recruitment team

• Email : [e-mail]
  
  

Further information

Our recruitment process is underpinned by the principle of appointment on the basis of fair and open competition and appointment on merit, as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles.If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should in the first instance contact FCE by email: [e-mail]. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission, which regulates all Civil Service recruitment.