Friends of the River Wye (FORW) are seeking a creative, self-motivated and highly capable Lead Communicator to keep the River Wye firmly in the public conversation and help drive progress towards restoring the river to health.
This role is central to how FORW communicates its work locally and nationally. The Lead Communicator will create compelling content across FORW’s website, newsletter, social media channels and press activity, shaping stories that raise awareness, influence debate and support positive change across the catchment.
The role suits someone imaginative, flexible and confident working independently, who can respond quickly to events on the river while maintaining high standards of accuracy, clarity and tone.
Responsibilities
1. Digital content & storytelling
● Write and edit engaging content for FORW’s website and regular email newsletter.
● Shape stories with the potential for national reach, including investigative human-interest stories as well as ground-breaking rights of nature and environmental pieces.
● Digest complex reports, legal documents, data and technical information and translate them into clear, accessible content for a general audience.
● Ensure all published content is accurate, well-sourced and rigorously fact-checked.
2. Communications & social media leadership
● Lead FORW’s social media presence across Instagram, Facebook, X, BlueSky and YouTube.
● Create and publish regular posts, stories, short videos and visual content to build reach and engagement.
● Maintain a strong, consistent voice that balances education, campaigning and positive storytelling, always within Charity Commission guidelines.
● Respond quickly to emerging issues, policy, legislation, pollution incidents and good-news stories to maximise impact.
3. Media & press relations
● Write clear, compelling press releases to engage regional and national media.
● Proactively pitch stories and tip-offs to journalists.
● Monitor and respond promptly to enquiries via FORW’s press email address.
● Facilitate media requests, including arranging interviews with staff, trustees and volunteers.
4. Visual and video content
● Create short videos explaining FORW’s work, campaigns and findings.
● Capture high-quality photos and video footage for use across FORW channels and by external media.
● Document events, fieldwork and public engagement activities to amplify FORW’s impact.
5. Catchment-based, responsive reporting
● Travel across the Wye catchment to gather content directly, including pollution incidents and environmental harm, volunteer activity and citizen science work, community events, festivals and agricultural shows, and positive practice and innovation, particularly within the farming community
● Work in a responsive and opportunistic way to capture stories as they happen.
6. Collaboration and organisational awareness
● Stay closely connected to all areas of FORW’s work to ensure communications are timely, accurate and aligned.
● Collaborate closely with partners such as Save the Wye and River Action to align and coordinate press releases and social media.
● Support communication of public-participation initiatives such as the Big Ranunculus Watch and Run-Off Reporter.
● Work alongside the Volunteer Coordinator, with flexibility around the division of science-focused communications where appropriate.
● Communicate the value of FORW’s work to encourage donations from the public and philanthropists, assisting with fund-raising efforts.
Skills and experience
● Highly organised, self-motivated, and capable of managing multiple strands of work.
● Excellent written communication skills with strong attention to detail.
● Proven ability to create engaging digital content, including text, images and video.
● Strong instinct for what is newsworthy and how to frame stories for impact.
● Confidence working with journalists and media outlets.
● Ability to communicate complex or technical information clearly and accurately.
● Willingness and ability to travel regularly around the Wye catchment.
Desirable
● Experience in journalism, campaigning, PR, media, communications or research.
● Confidence in public speaking or representing FORW on stage or on camera.
● Ability to create materials for public communication (leaflets, posters, displays, exhibitions).
● Experience writing briefing materials for politicians or other influencers.
Personal attributes
● Passionate about river health, nature and environmental restoration.
● Curious, creative and proactive in seeking out stories.
● Comfortable engaging with a wide range of people, including scientists, farmers, volunteers, artists and campaigners.
● Positive and solutions-focused, with a strong sense of integrity and responsibility.
This is a flexible contract role. The successful candidate will be expected to provide their own equipment (laptop and phone) and to work flexibly, including occasional evenings or weekends, to respond to events, media opportunities and time-sensitive issues. Where appropriate, they will ensure Welsh translation is provided, and appropriate recognition of grants and sponsorship that have supported our work. A project associated with this role is funded by the Nature Networks Programme. It is being delivered by the Heritage Fund, on behalf of the Welsh Government.
Type: 1-Year contract (2 days per week - flexible working hours)
Rate: £190 per day (contract rate)
Location: Flexible working, based within / across the Wye catchment
