Communications Officer (Cotswold Canals Connected) (Temporary) (Part time)

Stroud District Local Strategic Partnership; Stroud; Hybrid; GBP 31,000 - 38,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexi working

Hybrid working

Pension scheme

Employee wellbeing

Job summary

Stroud District Local Strategic Partnership is seeking a part-time Communications Officer for the Cotswold Canals Connected project. You will tell the story of the restoration, engage communities, manage digital channels, produce newsletters and identify media opportunities.

You will work with partners, voluntary organisations and Stroud District Council's Communications Team to craft narratives that bring audiences along on the restoration journey.

Qualifications

• Experience in communications, marketing or public engagement.
• Experience managing social media platforms and creating engaging content.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Creative approach to reaching different audiences.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Confidence engaging with community groups, partners and the public.
• Understanding of the voluntary and community sector.

Responsibilities

• Deliver the CCC Communications Plan.
• Create engaging content across digital and traditional channels.
• Manage and grow CCC's social media presence (Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube).
• Produce public-facing reports and promotional materials.
• Identify opportunities to reach key audiences and stakeholders.
• Support community engagement activities, events and sessions.
• Monitor communications performance via website and social analytics.
• Maintain an organized archive of project media content.
• Contribute updates to project boards and funding reports.

Skills

Communications

Social media management

Content creation

Public engagement

Project management

Job description

The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.

Job details

Job reference REQ0323 Date posted 17/09/2026 Apply by 11/10/2026 Location Ebley Mill - Stroud Salary £34,811 pro rata Package Excellent pension scheme - Flexi Working Scheme - Hybrid working approach - Employee Wellbeing Offer - For more information please see the benefits section on our website Contractual hours 22.2 Basis Temporary Job category/type Canal Project Attachments Communicaions Officer JD.pdf Communications Officer PS.pdf SDC V&B application & interview guidance 2023.pdf

Communications Officer (Cotswold Canals Connected) (Temporary) (Part Time)

Temporary, fixed term contract until December 2027

Join us and help tell the story of one of Gloucestershire's most exciting heritage and community projects.

Cotswold Canals Connected (CCC) is a major restoration project, funded by the National Heritage Lottery Fund, to restore Stroud’s waterways and reconnect them to the national network. The project is seeking a creative and enthusiastic Communications Officer to help engage communities with the restoration and celebration of the Stroud canals.

Working as part of our Community Engagement Team, you'll play a key role in delivering the project's communication plan and building connections between people and the heritage of Stroud’s canals.

About the Role

This is an exciting opportunity for a communications professional who enjoys creating engaging content and working directly with communities.

You'll develop and deliver communications campaigns, manage our digital channels, produce newsletters, identify media opportunities, and support community engagement activities and events. You'll work closely with project partners, voluntary organisations, and Stroud District Council's Communications Team to create a narrative that brings a broad range of audiences along on the restoration journey.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver the Cotswold Canals Connected Communications Plan.
• Create engaging content across digital and traditional communication channels.
• Manage and grow CCC's social media presence across Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.
• Produce public-facing reports and promotional materials.
• Identify and maximise opportunities to reach key audiences and stakeholders.
• Support community engagement activities, events and public information sessions.
• Monitor communications performance through website and social media analytics.
• Maintain an organised archive of project images, videos and media content.
• Contribute communications updates to project boards and funding reports.

About You

We're looking for someone who combines creativity with excellent organisational skills and a passion for community engagement.

You'll ideally have:

• Experience working in a communications, marketing or public engagement role.
• Experience managing social media platforms and creating engaging content.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• A creative approach to reaching different audiences.
• The ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Confidence engaging with community groups, partners and members of the public.
• An understanding of the voluntary and community sector.

A genuine interest in local heritage, the environment or community engagement would be highly advantageous. Experience working with volunteers or in the voluntary, public or not-for-profit sectors would also be welcomed.

You'll be joining a passionate team working on a nationally significant heritage and community project that is making a lasting difference across the district.

CLOSING DATE

11th October 2026

It is important that our staff reflect the diversity of our community, and we therefore welcome and encourage applications from people of all genders and sexual orientation, those from Black, Asian and other minority ethnic backgrounds, and people with disabilities.

We welcome applications from neurodivergent candidates and value the diverse lived experiences they bring.

We recognise the wide range of cognitive strengths that contribute to delivering high-quality services.

We are committed to ensuring that every applicant can participate fully and fairly in our recruitment process. To support this, we offer workplace adjustments at every stage. Please let us know if you have any additional requirements as we are here to help create a positive, inclusive, and equitable experience for all.

Responsible recruitment practices for safeguarding are in place within the Council’s HR policies and processes. This is part of our commitment as a Council to safeguard the welfare of vulnerable adults, young people, and children.

Stroud District has an energy unlike any other place.It’s green and dynamic, climate conscious and motivated, creative and collaborative, and unapologetically ambitious.To find out more about what makes our place, our people and our businesses so special, please follow the link to our dedicated website: Stroud District – The Natural Place