Communications Officer | Carlisle | £35,000–£37,500 | 12-Month FTC (Full or Part-Time) Looking for a comms role that's actually built around being out in schools, listening to people and turning real stories into meaningful content? Want to help shape a developing communications function? Foxgroves Recruitment is working with a well-established multi-academy trust in Carlisle to appoint a Communications Officer on a 12-month fixed-term contract covering maternity leave. There is real potential for the role to extend beyond the initial term, though this is not guaranteed at this stage. Working closely with the Marketing & Communications Manager, you'll play a key role in delivering clear, purposeful communications across the organisation, supporting staff, schools and communities, and helping bring the trust's work to life through content that genuinely reflects what's happening on the ground. This is a hands-on, people-focused role. It's built on relationships and presence, grounded in the day-to-day life of schools and communities - not behind a desk. There's also genuine scope to influence how the trust communicates and to grow with the organisation. The Role Trust-Wide and Internal Communications You'll help connect a geographically spread organisation, making sure staff and schools feel informed, included and part of one trust. Support trust-wide communications for staff, schools and communities Plan and deliver internal comms that build understanding and bring people together Help shape messaging during periods of growth and change Develop channels and rhythms that work for a multi-site team Community Engagement You'll be out in schools and communities, building the relationships that make a real difference to how families and local partners experience the trust. Strengthen relationships with families, local partners and community organisations Support engagement activity that builds trust and connection Represent the trust at community events and school activity Bring the voice of communities back into how the trust communicates Content and Storytelling You'll capture and share the real stories of the trust's schools, across a range of channels, in a way that genuinely reflects each one. Get out into schools regularly to gather stories, photography and case studies Produce written and visual content that brings the trust's work to life Support content across the trust's various communication channels Turn conversations and information into clear, engaging communications You'll Flourish if You Have: Experience in a communications, engagement or related role Confidence communicating with a wide range of audiences, from young people and families to senior leaders Strong relationship-building skills and a collaborative approach A natural feel for storytelling — finding the human angle and writing it well Strong organisation and the ability to work across multiple sites and projects Initiative, creativity and the drive to take ownership of a remit A full UK driving licence, or the means to travel independently between school sites Education, public sector or community-focused experience is welcome but not essential Why You'll Love Working Here: £35,000–£37,500 depending on experience 12-month FTC with genuine potential to extend (not guaranteed at this stage) Full-time or part-time hours considered Properly varied work across multiple school sites The chance to help shape a developing communications function Meaningful work supporting education across Cumbria Foxgroves Recruitment acts as an employment agency for vacancies on behalf of clients, following fair and inclusive recruitment practices in line with the Equality Act 2010. All appointments are subject to pre-employment screening, including right to work checks, reference checks, and qualification verification. Reasonable adjustments are available for individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment process.