Communications Assistant (12 month fixed term contract)

Scottish Land & Estates is recruiting a Communications Assistant to join our busy Communications and Events Team. This role would suit a recent graduate or someone at the beginning of their career in communications with an interest in rural Scotland who wishes to make a positive contribution to its future. We are looking for someone who has excellent administration and organisation skills along with the ability to develop their knowledge of effective communications in a corporate and public policy setting. This is a great opportunity for someone looking to take the first steps in their career with potential for progression and development, within a supportive and energetic team.

Title: Communications Assistant

Line Manager: Head of External Affairs

Based at: Scottish Land & Estates, Eskmills, Musselburgh

Salary Scale: £22,000 to £25,000 per annum, dependent on experience

Hours: 34.5 hours per week (9 – 5 Mon to Thurs, 9 – 4.30 Fri), with some flexibility

Contract: Initial 12 months, fixed term

Holidays: 32 days per year including 6 bank holidays pro rata

Benefits: Employee Assistance Program, Training and CPD allowance, time off in lieu allowance, contributory pension, free parking at office, supportive and friendly working environment.

To apply, please send your CV and a covering letter detailing your suitability for this role to Ania Rytel-Dunn (ania.rytel-dunn@scottishlandandestates.co.uk) by 30 April, with interviews held in our Musselburgh Office at the end of May.

Job Description	Communications Assistant
Location	Based at our Musselburgh office, with hybrid working and occasional travel to other locations across Scotland
Reports to	Head of External Affairs
Direct reports	None
General overview	Strong member and external communications is key to the success of SLE. We consistently aspire to reach a broader audience with our messages, and our communications assistant plays a vital role in enabling that. The post holder will support the communications and events team in its primary functions of creating, editing and managing written and visual communications across our social media, website, newsletters, quarterly magazine, delivering high quality events and producing our ScotLand Matters Podcast each month to build the profile of the organisation and its members, and to mitigate reputational threats. They will also play a leading role in supporting the delivery of our annual Helping it Happen Awards – our opportunity to celebrate the best of rural Scotland.
Main duties and responsibilities	Provide administrative and communications support to the communications team Support the management of SLE’s online presence, including posting social media content and updating the SLE website Support the delivery of SLE events by coordinating marketing content, sending out invitations and compiling delegate packs, assisting with the management of bookings and collating delegate lists Support the Digital and Marketing Officer with the production of digital content, including text, photos, videos and graphics to ensure a continuous stream of high-quality material which can be used across SLE’s channels Collate, review and format entries to the Helping it Happen Awards, and provide general administrative support throughout the awards process Provide support to the Membership Communications Manager for SLE publications, including proofreading, editing and administrative work Support the maintenance of SLE’s photo and image library Monitor social media and key online outlets (excluding media) for relevant content and opportunities Ensure all digital communications are brand compliant, clear, concise and consistent
Other Duties & Responsibilities	Monitor performance of content across social media channels and identify positive and negative indicators Support production of the weekly eNews and Events newsletter including occasionally writing and co-ordinating content and images Build capabilities within the rest of the team through sharing best practice and developing skills Carry out any other activity as required to support SLE’s communications strategy as appropriate to a role of this level and scope

Person Specification	Essential	Desirable
Education/Qualifications:	Educated to higher education level or relevant work experience	Degree relevant to the role
Experience:		Experience in a communications related role Experience in an editorial or publications related role Experience of producing digital and social media content
Skills/Knowledge	Demonstrable ability to organise, manage a diverse workload and work to tight deadlines Excellent communications skills, including ability to engage with a wide range of people and deliver high quality written material Proficient in the use of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. Proficient in use of various social media platforms	General understanding of, and interest in, issues affecting rural Scotland Knowledge of databases and logging of information Knowledge of design software including Canva Knowledge of Mailchimp mailing system
Aptitudes/Attributes	Ability to work flexibly and with enthusiasm Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team Ability to manage priorities in a pressured working environment and working to deadlines Willingness to work occasional evenings or weekends, for which time off will be given in lieu A proactive approach to problem solving High level of tact, diplomacy and confidentiality
Other Job Requirements:		Full driving licence and access to car