Marketing & Communications Officer

Waythrough; North East; Hybrid; GBP 26,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

27 days’ annual leave

Pension scheme

Life assurance

Birthday leave

Professional fee reimbursement

Cycle to Work

Blue Light Card discounts

Free will writing

Job summary

Waythrough is recruiting a Marketing and Communications Officer to promote our community services and tell impactful stories across Durham region. The role is remote-led with local supervision and requires travel to hubs four days per week and one day from home.

You will craft compelling narratives, design promotional materials, and collaborate with councils to extend our reach while engaging with service users and partners to raise awareness of mental health and recovery services.

Qualifications

• Qualification in Media/Communications (NVQ4) or equivalent hands-on experience.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and exceptional copywriting skills.
• Strong administrative prowess with attention to detail.
• Ability to bring ideas to life through engaging written and visual presentations.
• Team player with ability to build connections with internal/external staff and partners.

Responsibilities

• Craft compelling stories and secure local newspaper coverage to promote services.
• Design leaflets highlighting life-changing support for the community.
• Collaborate with council communications partners to amplify reach and impact.
• Engage with the community by attending events and building connections with service users.
• Utilise video editing to share inspiring experiences and messages.
• Build strong relationships with internal and external staff and partners.

Skills

Copywriting

Microsoft Office

Administrative skills

Presentation skills

Team player

Education

Media/Communications qualification (NVQ4)

Equivalent hands-on experience

Tools

Video editing

Job description

Location: County Durham Drug and Alcohol Recovery Services at Centre for Change, Durham with travel to other Hubs across the region (Consett, Horden & Bishop Auckland) four days per week and one day working from home.

Working Hours: 37 Hours

Contract Type: 12-month fixed term contract for Maternity Cover until December 2027

Please note: The salary listed reflects the full earning potential for this role. Starting salaries depend on experience and progression within the band.

About Waythrough

Waythrough was formed in 2024 following the merger of Humankind and Richmond Fellowship. Together, we’ve created one of the largest mental health and social support charities in England.

Every year, we support around 125,000 people through nearly 200 services – and it’s all made possible by our 3,500 brilliant staff and volunteers.

Make a real difference in your community

Are you passionate about helping others live safer, healthier, more independent lives? Join our team at Waythrough and support people facing challenges around mental health, substance use, housing or domestic abuse. This is more than just a job – it’s a chance to build meaningful relationships and create lasting change.

Are you a passionate communicator with a flair for promoting community services? Do you want to be part of a national charity's communications team and make a real impact on people's lives?

Join us as a Marketing and Communications Officer at County Durham Drug and Alcohol Recovery Services where you'll play a vital role in promoting our community service over the next 12 months. This role is managed remotely by the Communications team but supervised locally by a senior member of the team.

Be a member of a vibrant marketing and communications community of practice, which shares learning and innovation and explores new ideas.

What you'll do

As a Marketing and Communications Officer, you will have the exciting opportunity to:

• Craft compelling stories and secure coverage in local newspapers, spreading the word about our valuable services.
• Design eye-catching leaflets that showcase the life-changing support we provide to the community.
• Collaborate with communications partners in the councils we work with, amplifying our reach and impact.
• Engage with the community first hand by attending events, building meaningful connections with those we serve.
• Harness the power of storytelling through video editing, sharing inspiring experiences that touch hearts and minds.
• Build strong connections with a range of internal and external staff and partners

You’ll be an essential member of a nationwide charity's communications team, backed by Waythrough’s marketing and communications experts. As part of our new peer community of local communications leads you will: exchange ideas, provide feedback and share best practices, nurturing growth, and collective success.

About you

To seize this thrilling opportunity, you should possess:

• A qualification in Media/Communications (equivalent to NVQ level 4) or equivalent hands-on experience.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs, coupled with exceptional copywriting and creative writing skills.
• Strong administrative prowess, coupled with attention to detail in all aspects of your work.
• The ability to bring ideas to life through engaging written and visual presentations.
• A team player who can build strong connections with a range of internal and external staff and partners.

Join us and embark on a rewarding journey as a Marketing and Communications Officer.

Applications will close at 11.59pm on Sunday 1 November and interviews for this role are expected to take place on Tuesday 10 November.

What We Offer

We value the people who make a difference every day. Alongside meaningful work, you’ll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package:

• 27 days’ annual leave, rising to 32 after 1 year (plus bank holidays)
• Pension scheme with 4.5% employer contribution, matched up to 6.5%
• Life assurance (3× annual salary)
• Enhanced sick pay and family-friendly pay
• Birthday leave and the option to buy up to 5 extra days’ annual leave
• Professional fee reimbursement for relevant qualifications
• 24/7 online GP access and Employee Assistance Programme
• Recognition and long service awards via our Way to Go and Aspirations portals
• £500 Recommend a Friend bonus
• Cycle to Work scheme and Credit Union membership
• Discounts via Blue Light Card, Charity Discounts, Extras and Tickets for Good
• Free will writing service and wellbeing initiatives throughout the year

Inclusion and accessibility

Waythrough is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities, especially those with lived experience of the issues we support.

We have signed up to the Disability Confident Scheme - all applicants are welcome, and adjustments can be made to enable fair participation.