Communications Assistant

Are you looking to combine your passion and commitment to protecting our natural environment with a talent for communications and an aspiration to build a career in this field?

About the Heart of England Forest

The Heart of England Forest is an exciting and ambitious charity. We want to help reverse centuries of woodland decline and plant one of the largest forests in England. Our goal is to create a huge, unbroken woodland – a refuge from the modern world where people can rediscover nature and wildlife can flourish. It’s an ambitious vision, which we’re determined to make happen, one tree at a time.

Forests bring life to our communities in every conceivable way – increasing biodiversity, improving air and water quality, creating more opportunities to access nature, and increasing people’s appreciation and understanding of what it brings to all of us, pioneering new forms of sustainable businesses that generate meaningful jobs and drive forward a green economy.

As one of the most ambitious biodiversity initiatives in the UK, The Heart of England Forest is already bursting with life and we’re just getting started! We’re here for life - creating and conserving a magnificent 30,000 acre broadleaf forest for the benefit of people and planet now and for generations to come.

The UK has less than a third of the native tree cover of many other European countries, including France, Germany and Italy. Planting tomorrow’s great native woodland has already started. With over 7,000 acres of land, the Forest currently consists of 600 acres of mature woodland and more than 4,500 acres of new planting. We have planted an incredible 2 million trees so far, and we are over 23% of the way towards our goal of a 30,000 acre forest. But with patience and your support, who knows how far it will grow!

Please visit our website to download a job description / person specification and an application form. Please note that CVs will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application form.

About the role

This is an exciting opportunity for someone starting or changing to a career in communications, in a role where you can really make a difference. You will be joining the charity at a significant moment of progression and growth in our mission to combat climate change, boost biodiversity, and enable more people to benefit from spending time in woodlands.

We are fortunate to have an amazing subject to communicate about – our fantastic Forest and all the benefits it brings for the environment, wildlife, and people. Willing to pull on your wellies and get hands on in the Forest, you will be at home in the great outdoors but equally happy to work autonomously from home or the office.

Working as part of a small and busy team, this role will play an important part in helping to raise our profile, enhance the visitor experience, and extend our reach amongst local and wider communities. You will work closely with our Marketing and Communications Manager and Marketing and Communications Officer, but will also collaborate with colleagues across the charity, gathering rich content and creating compelling stories to help increase awareness, engagement, and support for the Heart of England Forest.

The role is busy and varied so the candidate will need to be comfortable multitasking. We are looking for an enthusiastic individual who is keen to learn, has a “can do” attitude, and who will be a passionate ambassador for the charity.

Don’t miss out! Apply today.

What do we offer?

• The chance to join an ambitious charity and play a part in creating and conserving a huge Forest for the benefit of people, wildlife and the environment. There has never been a more important and exciting time to work in conservation. Climate change has never been higher within the public consciousness and political landscape, with tree planting at the forefront of carbon sequestration.
• Competitive salary with a Living Wage Foundation accredited employer
• 28 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Contributory company pension with 4.5% employer contribution
• Health Cash Plan – get cash back on opticians, dentists and more!
• Group Income Protection Scheme – to support you if you get sick
• Employee Assistance Programme – financial, physical and mental wellbeing support
• Access to exclusive discounts from thousands of retailers
• Life Assurance at four times your basic salary

Our commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

The Heart of England Forest is committed to encouraging equity, diversity and inclusion amongst our current and future workforce. We are a Disability Confident Employer and part of The Race Report, driving diversity in the environment sector. We want our workforce to be truly representative of all sections of society and welcome applications from all qualified candidates.

Closing date: Midnight on Monday 17th April
Interview date: Tuesday 2nd May

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: £21,255.00 per year

Benefits:

• Additional leave
• Bereavement leave
• Casual dress
• Company events
• Company pension
• Employee discount
• Flexitime
• Free parking
• Life insurance
• On-site parking
• Referral programme
• Sick pay
• Wellness programme

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 8AU: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 8AU