About the Role
Part Time 25 hours a week
Dean Farm Trust is looking for an experienced, creative and values-led Marketing & Communications Officer to take ownership of the charity's day-to-day marketing, communications and supporter engagement.
This is an important role within a small charity, where effective communication has a direct impact on awareness, supporter relationships, fundraising and our ability to continue providing a home for life for our rescued residents.
Working within the strategic priorities set by the CEO, the postholder will plan and deliver clear, consistent and engaging communications across our digital channels, website, email marketing, supporter communications, campaigns and press activity. The role requires someone who can plan ahead, work proactively and take responsibility for delivering agreed activity without constant direction.
Key Priorities
The role will focus on four core areas:
Social media, digital content and storytelling.
Website, email marketing and supporter communications.
Donor stewardship, CRM activity and fundraising campaign support.
Press, analytics, communications planning and profile-raising.
These priorities are intended to keep the role focused and achievable within 25 hours per week, while allowing flexibility for rescues, urgent Sanctuary news, fundraising activity and key events.
Key Responsibilities
Marketing, Social Media & Content
Develop and manage a practical communications and content calendar aligned with Dean Farm Trust's priorities, fundraising activity, events, rescued residents and key dates.
Plan, create, schedule and manage engaging content across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and other appropriate channels.
Use Meta Business Suite and relevant platform tools to schedule content, manage activity and monitor performance.
Create strong written, photographic and short-form video content from the Sanctuary, telling the individual stories of our rescued residents with compassion and authenticity.
Use Canva or equivalent design software to produce high-quality digital and simple printed communications in line with Dean Farm Trust's brand and voice.
Support fundraising appeals and campaigns with timely, compelling content and clear calls to action.
Monitor engagement, reach and campaign performance and use insights to improve future activity.
Website & Email Communications
Manage and regularly update the Dean Farm Trust website using WordPress, keeping resident stories, news, campaigns, events and visitor information accurate and current.
Plan and produce newsletters, mailshots and targeted supporter communications using Mailchimp or equivalent email marketing software.
Maintain a consistent, recognisable and professional tone across website, email and digital communications.
Use basic web and email analytics to understand performance and improve content, journeys and engagement.
Donor Stewardship, CRM & Fundraising Support
Develop and deliver warm, effective donor and supporter communications that strengthen long-term relationships with Dean Farm Trust.
Manage day-to-day supporter emails and communications, ensuring enquiries receive timely and appropriate responses.
Take day-to-day responsibility for maintaining the charity's CRM system, ensuring supporter information is accurate, useful and appropriately managed.
Segment supporter audiences and use donor and supporter data to improve relevance, retention, engagement and income.
Produce useful reports and insights to support fundraising and communications decisions.
Work with the CEO on supporter journeys, stewardship activity and communications for fundraising campaigns and appeals.
Handle supporter data in accordance with data protection requirements.
Press, Partnerships & Sanctuary Communications
Draft and distribute press releases and develop appropriate relationships with local and wider media.
Identify opportunities to raise awareness of Dean Farm Trust, its residents and its work.
Support communications around rescues, Sanctuary developments, tours, open days, corporate volunteering, campaigns and partnerships.
Build strong working relationships with the Sanctuary team so that communications accurately reflect what is happening on site.
Proactively identify stories, updates and content opportunities rather than relying solely on material being supplied by others.
Attend and support key Sanctuary events and activities where appropriate.
Working With the CEO
The Marketing & Communications Officer will work closely with the CEO while having clear ownership of the charity's day-to-day marketing and communications activity.
The CEO will retain responsibility for the overall strategy and direction of Dean Farm Trust, including fundraising strategy, financial sustainability, major relationships and organisational development. The postholder will translate agreed priorities into planned communications, supporter engagement and marketing activity, bringing forward ideas and recommendations and managing agreed work through to delivery.
Person Specification
Essential
Proven experience in a marketing, communications, supporter engagement or comparable role, with the confidence to take ownership of day-to-day activity and deliver agreed work proactively.
Strong content creation and communication skills, including writing and storytelling, email marketing, newsletters, photography and short-form video, with the ability to adapt content for different audiences and channels.
Strong practical experience across digital marketing and communications tools, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and LinkedIn, together with WordPress, Mailchimp, Canva, Meta Business Suite, CRM systems and digital analytics tools.
Experience of managing supporter, donor or customer information and using data and performance insights to improve communications, engagement, retention and fundraising activity.
Strong organisational and planning skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, plan ahead and work effectively within a part-time role with limited day-to-day supervision.
An understanding of the charity sector and the relationship between effective communications, supporter engagement and fundraising.
A genuine commitment to Dean Farm Trust's mission, values and compassionate approach to animals, together with an understanding of and respect for the charity's vegan ethos.
Desirable
Experience working within a charity, not-for-profit, animal welfare, environmental or other values-led organisation.
Experience producing press releases and working with media.
Strong photography and video content creation/editing skills.
Experience supporting fundraising campaigns, appeals or donor stewardship activity.
Experience using Google Analytics, platform insights or other digital analytics tools.
Experience with LinkedIn or other channels relevant to partnerships, corporate engagement or charity profile-raising.
About You
You will be a strong communicator who understands that effective charity communications are about much more than posting on social media. You will be comfortable moving between resident storytelling, supporter communications, website updates, digital content, CRM activity and campaign support while keeping your workload planned and prioritised.
You will be organised, proactive and confident taking ownership of your area. Most importantly, you will understand and embrace Dean Farm Trust's values and communicate our work with compassion, authenticity and respect for the animals at the heart of everything we do.
Candidate Information Pack
A full Candidate Information Pack is available to anyone seriously considering applying. We encourage applicants to read the pack before submitting an application, as it provides further information about Dean Farm Trust, the role, employment package and what we hope the successful candidate will achieve during their first 6-12 months.
How to apply
Please submit your CV together with a covering statement explaining:
· why you would like to work for Dean Farm Trust;
· how your experience meets the requirements of the role; and
Dean Farm Trust is committed to finding someone who genuinely shares our values and ethos as a vegan run Sanctuary that promotes compassion for all animals.
Pay: £20,667.00 per year
Benefits:
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Shirenewton NP16 6AG
