Senior Communications Executive - Conservation Science

Senior Communications Executive - Conservation ScienceReference: SEP20242182Location: Flexible in UKSalary: £32,022.00 - £34,377.00 Per AnnumContract: PermanentHours: Full Time, 37.5 hours per weekBenefits: Pension, Life Assurance and Annual Leave

Introduction

Are you passionate about championing and communicating conservation science and the work of the RSPB? We’re looking for a driven Senior Science Communications Executive to spearhead our scientific communication efforts in line with our mission to create a world richer in nature.

Science is the bedrock of the work of the RSPB and this role is pivotal in helping raise awareness and understanding of how it informs and guides our conservation work. The Senior Science Communications Executive will lead the promotion, development, and coordination of the RSPB’s scientific communication. This key role informs, influences, and inspires key internal and external audiences in alignment with the RSPB's mission.

The ideal candidate will have a passion for nature conservation and be a great communicator. An understanding of how science and academia works is preferred but not essential. You’ll be supported by, and line managed in the News & Media team but will work very closely with colleagues in Conservation Science and Global Conservation. This truly unique and highly sought after role at the RSPB is a great opportunity for an internal candidate.

What's the role about?

To develop and co-ordinate the communication of the RSPB’s conservation science activities, projects and strategies to key internal and external audiences in order to underpin, amplify or achieve RSPB objectives. You will be intellectually curious, collaborative, resilient and passionate about adapting to new trends and situations. You'll be comfortable working in a fast-moving culture, collaborating as partners with colleagues across the RSPB and in external organisations in pursuit of our common goal to drive change in the world. Key Result Areas for this role include:

• Direct promotion of the RSPB’s scientific work across social, broadcast, and print media channels to specific target audiences, including RSPB members, the public, government bodies, and academia.
• Development and maintenance of scientific content on the RSPB website dedicated to the Centre for Conservation Science.
• Production and circulation of internal and external scientific newsletters, managing circulation lists for each.
• Promotion and integration of scientific communication outputs within broader organisational communication strategies, including the RSPB Magazine and other owned channels.
• Building and managing a comprehensive network of science media contacts to increase the number of channels available for sharing our science work with target audiences, ensuring this is aligned with wider RSPB media objectives.
• Ensuring alignment with RSPB Brand Guidelines and fostering strong collaborations with colleagues across Conservation Science, Global Conservation, Digital Technology & Communications, and UK Countries Directorates. This collaboration ensures that our scientific communications embody brand trust, understanding, nurture passion, drive action, and define the RSPB's unique identity.
• Recognising and helping the News & Media and PR & Reputation teams to mitigate issues that may give rise to reputational damage to the RSPB.
• Demonstrating good judgement when working with stakeholders, recognising sensitive areas and the need for appropriate discretion, to maintain reputation and confidentiality.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

• Communications - listening, written and verbal: Able to communicate complex topics in a clear manner at all levels to develop shared understanding.
• Judgement and decision-making: Able to define and clarify a complex situation through gathering facts and evidence, recognising risks, evaluating options to
• progress work.
• Ability to build respect internally and externally across a broad range of stakeholders and at all levels
• Strong social and interpersonal skills, with the gravitas to influence internal and external stakeholders
• Knowledge of UK and International wildlife and conservation issues
• Excellent planning and prioritisation skills, combined with the ability to meet tight deadlines and handle unanticipated workloads.
• Experience of writing internal briefing, planning and strategy documents and communications plans
• Working knowledge of social media channels and tools
• Knowledge and understanding of brand and audiences

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

• An understanding of the current scientific research and peer review process
• Experience in a science communications role or other technical communications role

Expiry date: 23:59, Fri, 29th Nov 2024

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from 9 December 2024.

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

As part of this application process, you will be asked to complete an application form including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above.

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we are particularly interested in receiving your application.

This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship - the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.

No agencies please.