Communications Officer

Compass is looking to recruit a Communications Officer as we enter an exciting new period for UK politics in 2025.

The Communications Officer will take a lead on commissioning, producing and distributing our content to help grow awareness of Compass and our work. We’re looking for a communications generalist, who has experience working with social media, media and digital communications.

You should be motivated and experienced in comms work and able to create stories, content and messaging to help Compass appeal to different audiences. You should have a background in journalism, campaigns or public relations and have a keen understanding of the political landscape in which Compass works. You should be a self-starter, with a proven ability to self-organise and comfortable working within a small, dynamic team. You should be interested in progressive political ideas and working in a pluralist, open way to make change happen.

The Communications Officer will work closely with Compass’ campaigns teams, as well as a broad network of partners, associates and volunteers. We run campaigns on democratic reform, climate justice, inequality and cross-party cooperation and this post will support our communications work across all campaigns.

We are looking for an energetic, creative and agile thinker, with a keen eye for a good story, curiosity about politics, and a passion for political change. This role is suitable for someone who wants to work flexibly and hard, responding to political events as they unfold and developing a powerful narrative that could help us build the power of progressives in the UK and land some big campaign wins.

This role involves:

• Working across a range of media - written publications, our podcast and online digital comms - to help Compass tell powerful and engaging stories to our membership and the wider public.
• Helping harness creative communications to increase our supporter base on email and social media
• Commissioning blogs and publications from a range of writers that help Compass deepen our political argument and broaden our network. Working with the editors of the journal ‘Renewal’ to elevate the best new thinkers, especially from people under-represented in our politics. Helping raise up our work on a ‘New Settlement’ for British politics.
• Contributing media expertise to the communications work of our campaigns team by identifying media interventions and writing press releases to publicise our work.
• Developing compelling messaging and framing, and ensuring message discipline across all our comms.
• Adopting a creative approach to amplifying campaign messages across both traditional media (print and broadcast) and social media. 

Key responsibilities and accountabilities

• Securing coverage for our existing campaigns and leading strategy and delivery of Compass’ core communications.
• Working with the campaigns team to build our email list of supporters.
• Commissioning relevant articles and podcasts to expand and broaden our work and strengthen our political positioning.
• Increasing our social media following across Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn through commissioning and placing relevant content.
• Developing a media plan for our key campaigns, including identifying key partners, handling media enquiries from both print and broadcast and securing placements for articles, events coverage and opinion pieces.

Skills and competencies

• Self-organisation: able to self-motivate, be proactive and work independently to an agreed schedule.
• Flexibility and adaptability: confident handling competing priorities across multiple fronts and managing the tools the organisation uses to manage communications outputs.
• Creativity and imaginative flair: the skill to find the right angle for our mission and campaign and the ability to think laterally to develop fresh messaging.
• Sound political judgement: a clear understanding of the political context we work in, the culture we represent and which issues are politically sensitive. 
• Collaborative and communicative: able to work in a small, agile team, with excellent interpersonal and communication skills, online and in person.
• Enthusiasm and energy: a demonstrable passion for the political change we seek and a willingness to work in pursuit of it.

Experience, qualifications and knowledge

• Experience in comms/campaigns/media/PR role or a background in digital communications.
• Confidence and competence in working across a range of media to tell powerful stories.
• Proven aptitude in developing messaging and narrative to get cut through in the media and general public.
• Excellent communication skills - especially in writing.
• Understanding of and experience with social media or list growth (desirable, but not essential)
• Knowledge of the UK progressive political scene and support for the aims, vision and values of Compass.

What this role might look like on the day to day:

• Writing compelling copy to encourage our email list to back the civil society campaign for Clive Lewis’ Private Member’s Bill on public ownership of water.
• Developing the script for a new short video series to highlight the work of Compass local groups’ alliance-building ahead of the local elections.
• Commissioning a new piece of writing or a podcast episode on community power in Labour’s devolution agenda.
• Helping us frame a media line/response to the APPG on Fair Elections’ latest report.
• Working on a comms strategy for Compass’ work within the Labour Party, to highlight the work of our MP caucus.

Compass is a highly ambitious organisation, working to change the way we do politics. With a strong track record of bold and innovative campaigns and a wide network of members, associates and partners, Compass is rapidly expanding its political influence and reach in the post-election period.

This post is suitable for someone who believes in and wants to be part of creating the vision and culture of a good society and wants to work flexibly and energetically to further these goals.

Following a year in which we ran our biggest campaign to date (Win As One), you’ll be joining a lively, organised and highly motivated team, who are determined to land some big campaign wins and build a stronger base across all progressive parties in this new parliament. This is an exciting time to take on this pivotal role, working at the centre of the organisation to help our ideas and action reach politicians, other campaigners, the media and supporters. You will be granted a high degree of independence, so this position is suitable for someone who relishes the opportunity to both display and develop their skills as a communications expert.  

Pay will be in the range of  30 - 35k depending on experience, London-based, with room for flexible working in terms of hours and location. The team has an office in central London (near Vauxhall) and the likely candidate would need to be comfortable travelling to the office at least 2- 3 times a week.

The position is full-time and permanent, subject to a 3-month probationary period, starting as soon as possible.

Compass is committed to providing equal opportunities to people regardless of background and we actively seek applications from people with backgrounds that are underrepresented in our sector, especially with regards to race and class. We recognise that representation in our sector is not good enough; this makes our politics and our campaigns weaker. As such, we particularly encourage applications from people who can demonstrate the skills, even if they have never worked in this precise field. We welcome people to apply who can demonstrate their aptitude, even if a career in politics has so far been closed off to them. 

To apply for this role, click the Apply button below. You will be asked to upload a CV and answer two questions related to the position.

The application deadline is Monday 27th January, 5pm. We expect interviews to be held in February. If you think you'll struggle to make this deadline but are keen to apply, or have other questions related to the role, please get in touch. You can email Frances at frances@compassonline.org.uk.