Communications Lead

Communications Lead

Application Deadline: 23 August 2026

Department: Communications and Marketing

Employment Type: Permanent

Location: East Sussex - Lewes

Reporting To: Manager Communications

Compensation: £31,687 / year

Description

Location: Lewes and hybrid

Salary: £31,687 per year (37 hours per week)

Hours: 30-37 per week

What you’ll be doing:

Are you a creative communicator who wants to use your skills to make a real difference? Do you enjoy creating engaging content, telling powerful stories and connecting people with the support they need? Southdown is one of Sussex's leading providers of community mental health services and the lead provider of the UOK mental health network across Brighton & Hove and East Sussex. We're looking for a Communications Lead to help raise the profile of the UOK partnership and the services it delivers. In this varied and rewarding role, you'll create compelling content, deliver communications campaigns, manage digital channels and showcase the impact of our work. You'll work closely with colleagues and partners across the UOK network to provide responsive communications support that helps more people access mental health and wellbeing support. If you're an enthusiastic communicator with great ideas, strong writing skills and a passion for making a positive difference, we'd love to hear from you. Perks and benefits:

• Health cost cash-back scheme: access to our health insurance scheme which covers dental, optical, physical therapies and other medical treatments with the option to add greater levels of cover.
• Interest-free loans: assistance with larger costs that arise such as tenancy deposits, season travel tickets or buying a car.
• Access to the Easit Network: discounts and incentives on train, bus and car journeys such as 15% off eligible daily and season rail tickets.
• Blue Light card: access to discount services for the social care sector with savings across thousands of online shops, restaurants, and high-street vendors.
• Free advice and counselling service: confidential emotional support and practical guidance from our independent telephone service.
• 25 days paid holiday plus bank holidays.

Knowledge, skills and experience

What you’ll need for the role:

• We're looking for someone who has experience of:
• Communications, public relations or marketing.
• Creating engaging content for digital and print, including copywriting and editing.
• Planning and delivering communications campaigns.
• Managing website content, social media channels and producing multimedia content and evaluation reports.
• Building positive relationships with a range of stakeholders.
• Organising and prioritising a varied workload while meeting deadlines.

What would be nice:

• Experience of working in the mental health sector.
• An understanding of mental health challenges and the importance of person-centred, inclusive communication.
• Experience of working in partnership across organisations to deliver shared communication objectives.

Training:

You’ll receive an initial induction, followed by regular in person training and supervisions to invest in your development and provide all the tools needed to succeed in this role. We’ll help you to gain valuable experience, continually develop your skills and build a great career with the largest provider of housing, care and support in Sussex.

How to apply:

Please click on the ‘Apply Now’ button and fill out our simple one-page application form.

Please note, if we receive a large number of applications then this position may close before the advertised application closing date. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.