Head of Communications

Live Here Love Here

Location: Hybrid – Home working and Belfast office, minimum 2 days per week

Salary: £42,000–£45,000 per annum

Contract: Permanent, subject to funding

Hours: 4-day working week

This position is funded through the DAERA Environment Fund.

About Live Here Love Here

Charity Jobs NI is delighted to be working in partnership with Live Here Love Here, formerly Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful, to recruit an experienced, creative and strategically minded Head of Communications to lead the organisation's communications function.

Live Here Love Here is an independent environmental charity dedicated to connecting people with nature through education, engagement and empowerment. Its work spans community engagement, environmental education and local environmental quality, inspiring people and communities across Northern Ireland to take positive action for the environment.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the organisation's Senior Management Team at an important stage in its development, helping shape how Live Here Love Here communicates its impact, builds its reputation and inspires meaningful environmental action.

The Role

The Head of Communications will provide strategic leadership across all internal and external communications, developing and implementing a bold and engaging communications strategy aligned with Live Here Love Here's 2026–2030 organisational strategy.

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, you will lead a communications team of four, oversee the organisation's newly developed brand and ensure that communications activity effectively supports its environmental programmes, partnerships and wider organisational ambitions.

This is a varied and influential leadership role combining communications strategy, brand management, media relations, digital communications, stakeholder engagement and campaign delivery. You will play a central role in strengthening the organisation's reputation, growing its reach and using compelling storytelling to encourage positive environmental behaviour change.

You will also oversee communications across programmes including Eco-Schools, community engagement initiatives, climate awareness training, environmental accreditation programmes and annual environmental reporting, alongside providing project management oversight for the myEARTH digital platform.

The opportunity will particularly appeal to experienced communications professionals working in roles such as Head of Marketing and Communications, Communications Director, Strategic Communications Lead, Head of External Affairs, Communications and Engagement Manager or Public Relations Manager who are looking to combine strategic leadership with meaningful, purpose-driven work.

Key Responsibilities

Communications Strategy and Leadership

Develop and implement a comprehensive communications strategy aligned with Live Here Love Here's 2026–2030 organisational strategy.
Lead the organisation's internal and external communications, ensuring consistent messaging, engaging storytelling and measurable impact.
Contribute actively as a member of the Senior Management Team, supporting organisational planning and decision-making.
Provide communications updates to the Board of Trustees and support wider strategic discussions.
Directly manage and motivate the communications team, currently comprising four staff members.
Provide communications guidance, training and support to colleagues across the organisation.

Brand, Campaigns and Digital Communications

Lead the implementation and ongoing management of the Live Here Love Here brand.
Develop and deliver creative, integrated communications campaigns that inspire engagement and positive environmental behaviour change.
Oversee the organisation's websites, social media channels, digital content and wider communications platforms.
Lead communications planning and delivery across key environmental programmes and campaigns.
Oversee the myEARTH digital platform through line management of the relevant Project Manager.
Establish effective systems to monitor, measure and evaluate communications performance and outcomes.

Media Relations, Reputation and Stakeholder Engagement

Lead media relations activity, including press releases, media enquiries and spokesperson communications.
Manage organisational reputation, including identifying and responding to communications risks and emerging issues.
Develop strong relationships with government departments, local councils, funders, sponsors and external partners.
Identify opportunities to strengthen Live Here Love Here's profile, thought leadership and wider public engagement.
Contribute to organisational policy, advocacy and engagement strategies.
Represent Live Here Love Here externally and deputise for the Chief Executive Officer when required.

Programme Delivery and Business Development

Oversee the planning and delivery of organisational events and associated communications.
Ensure agreed communications outcomes are delivered for DAERA, councils and other funding partners.
Prepare quarterly communications reports for DAERA and the Board of Trustees.
Manage external creative and media suppliers, including procurement and tendering processes where required.
Support income generation activities and contribute communications expertise to business development proposals.
Ensure communications activities and contractual obligations are delivered effectively, on time and within budget.

About You

We are looking for an experienced communications professional who combines strategic thinking with creativity, strong leadership skills and the ability to communicate compelling messages that inspire action.

Essential Criteria

A high standard of written and spoken English, with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
At least one year's staff management experience, demonstrating the ability to motivate and support colleagues effectively.
Experience developing and implementing a communications strategy within the NGO sector.
Demonstrable experience building and maintaining productive relationships with external stakeholders.
Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver work to tight deadlines.
Experience creating effective communications content for different audiences across a range of media.
Demonstrable understanding of reputation and issues management.
Experience using content management systems, updating websites and delivering digital communications.
Ability to gather, analyse and present data, using insights to inform and improve future communications activity.
Understanding of how local and central government operates.
General understanding of GDPR, HR processes and management reporting.
Full current driving licence and access to suitable transport to undertake the responsibilities of the role.

You will also bring integrity, discretion, creativity and excellent attention to detail. You should be a confident and enthusiastic communicator and storyteller who can work independently while contributing positively to a wider team.

Desirable Criteria

It would be advantageous to hold a relevant degree-level qualification in communications, media, digital media, marketing, public relations or journalism.

Additional desirable experience includes well-developed ICT skills, particularly Microsoft Office, Excel, content management systems, Mailchimp and Canva, alongside knowledge of environmental matters, communications approaches within the environmental NGO sector and behaviour change techniques.

Why Join Live Here Love Here

Meaningful impact: Lead communications that inspire environmental action and help communities across Northern Ireland make a positive difference.
4-day working week: Enjoy full-time pay while working 30 hours over 4 days, with a paid non-working day every week. Staff are contracted to 37.5 hours per week but benefit from this enhanced working pattern. Given the seniority of the role, additional hours may occasionally be required.
Strategic leadership: Join the Senior Management Team and play an influential role in shaping the organisation's communications strategy, brand and future direction.
Creative opportunity: Lead a talented communications team and develop engaging campaigns, impactful storytelling and innovative approaches to reaching new audiences.
Flexible working: Hybrid working with a minimum of 2 days per week in the Belfast office, alongside travel to events, meetings and programme locations as required.
Professional development: Access Carbon Literacy training and opportunities to further develop your leadership and environmental communications expertise.
Collaborative culture: Work alongside passionate colleagues and partners, with IT equipment and support provided to help you work effectively.

How to Apply

If you're an experienced communications leader with a passion for storytelling, creative campaigns and inspiring positive change, we'd love to hear from you.

Simply apply now with your CV to register your interest. A member of the Charity Jobs NI team will be in touch to discuss your application and guide you through the next steps of the process.

Closing Date: Thursday 26th November 2026 at 9am

Interviews: Week commencing Monday 7th December 2026, in person (subject to change).

The post-holder may at times have contact with children and vulnerable adults. Finalisation of the contract of employment will be dependent upon the successful outcome of Access NI checks.

Live Here Love Here asks applicants not to rely on AI tools when preparing their application. Applications should reflect the candidate's own experience, voice, understanding and suitability for the role.

If you have any questions about the role or the application process, please contact the Charity Jobs NI team. We're here to help.

Charity Jobs NI is proud to be supporting Live Here Love Here with recruitment for this vacancy.

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