Communications Officer (Graphic Design & Media)

Overall Job Purpose

Are you a creative communicator with a strong design background and great organisational skills and looking to build your career in a purpose-driven environment?

We are seeking a Diocesan Communications Officer to join our small, friendly and dynamic team supporting the life and mission of the Catholic Church across the Diocese. This is an excellent opportunity for someone in the early stages of their career who is ready to take the next step and grow in a broad, engaging role.

The Postholder will create both digital and print/physical collateral which will include e-newsletters, social media posts, videos, web pages, press releases, newsletters, campaign materials, and flyers. Your work will contribute towards the direct raising of awareness and support for the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth.

You'll be working on high-profile campaigns and messaging across various channels and platforms, including social, digital and print media, and involved in multiple projects simultaneously where your passion for communications, innovation and creativity, plus your eye for detail and how best to convey a compelling message, will be greatly valued.

This role suits a highly organised and imaginative individual with excellent graphic design and writing skills who enjoys working as part of a team and can contribute across a wide range of communication and creative tasks.

Working closely with the Communications Manager and the Diocesan Webmaster, you will:

• Develop creative ideas and editorial across all forms of communication and editing input for a range of platforms
• Design and deliver high-quality print and digital materials, capturing and creating compelling visual content to tell our story
• Write effectively for a range of audiences and communication channels, including for the web and social media
• Have experience of working with websites and content management systems, as well as knowledge of accessibility standards.
• Support internal communications and parish engagement
• Contribute to diocesan campaigns and publications
• Help shape and implement our diocesan brand

You’ll hold a degree (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant discipline such as graphic design, communications, media, or marketing. You will be highly computer literate, confident using Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Suite, and eager to develop your creative and professional skills further.

We are looking for someone who has a strong creative portfolio and excellent organisational skills and attention to detail. You will write clearly and communicate effectively, thriving in a team and taking satisfaction from helping others. You will be able to manage and filter workflow as well as organise and prioritise your work to maximise productivity and achieve all deadlines. Photography and video skills will be an advantage.

Most importantly, you’ll be sympathetic to the mission of the Catholic Church and excited by the opportunity to use your talents in service of the church and our 87 parish communities.

The Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth is a welcoming and mission-focused diocese covering Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, the Channel Islands, and parts of Berkshire, Dorset and Oxfordshire. Led by Bishop Philip Egan, we are committed to renewing and strengthening the Church through formation, evangelisation, and service. Our ten-year Mission plan, 'You Will be my Witnesses', sets out our vison and priorities. With 87 parishes, 50 schools, and a range of pastoral and charitable initiatives, we offer a vibrant environment for professionals who want to use their skills to support the Church’s mission.

The role is based at St. Edmund House, Bishop Crispian Way, Portsmouth, PO1 3QA.

You must be able to travel across the Diocese, including the Channel Islands, and have a full clean driving licence and your own transport. Occasional evening or weekend working may be required to support major events or publications.

Communications Officer (Graphic Design & Media) - Full Job Description

Main Duties

Internal Communications

• Coordinate and deliver clear and engaging internal communications for clergy, parish teams, and diocesan departments.
• Draft and distribute regular digital updates and notices to promote diocesan policies, resources, and mission priorities.
• Ensure internal messaging aligns with diocesan values, tone, and Catholic identity.

Graphic Design and Creative Content

• Design and produce visually impactful print and digital materials to support fundraising and information campaigns, publicity resources, social media graphics, and a wide range of liturgical material.
• Maintain and apply the diocesan brand across all platforms and resources.
• Create content that visually communicates the work and mission of the Diocese in engaging and accessible ways.

Web and Digital Support

• Assist the Webmaster in supporting diocesan and parish web pages, ensuring information is accurate, timely, and aligned with diocesan standards.
• Provide support and guidance to parishes using diocesan-hosted web platforms.
• Contribute to maintaining and updating the diocesan website and ensuring accessibility and compliance with relevant policies.
• Creating engaging content for the new website and intranet.

Publications and Reports

• Project manage the production of key diocesan publications such as the Annual Report, coordinating contributions and designing the final output.
• Ensure consistency of tone, style, and presentation across publications.

Event Support

• Provide communications and creative support for diocesan events and campaigns, including visual materials, photography, digital content, and promotional tools.
• Attend and document key events as needed to support post-event communications and archival material.

Visual and Multimedia Content

• Capture or commission photography (still and video) to support communications, particularly for major events, campaigns, and publications.
• Maintain and curate a diocesan photo and asset library.

Values

• Maintain the ethos and values of the Catholic Church, positively promoting it's teachings and activities.
• Role model the Diocese's core values of integrity, dignity, excellence, accountability, and stewardship.

Additional Information

• Occasional evening or weekend working may be required to support major events or publications.

Communications Officer (Graphic Design & Media) - Person Specification

Essential

Degree or equivalent qualification in one of the following:

• Graphic Design
• Communications or Media Studies
• Digital Media
• Marketing or Public Relations
• Journalism
• Visual Communication
• Professional certification or training in:
• Adobe Creative Suite (e.g. through Adobe Certified Professional courses)
• Content Management Systems (e.g. WordPress)

Proficient in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, with the ability to create, edit, and format documents, presentations, and spreadsheets to a high standard.

Confident using cloud-based collaboration tools such as Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, or Google Workspace.

Comfortable navigating and updating web-based platforms and content management systems (CMS), e.g., WordPress.

Strong file management and digital organisation skills.

Ability to learn and use new digital tools and software with minimal support.

Photography and image editing

Experience in developing a strong creative portfolio with evidence of graphic design and layout skills

Excellent writing, editing and proofreading skills

Highly organised, able to prioritise and meet deadlines

Strong project coordination skills with attention to detail

A flexible and proactive approach to work, including occasional out-of-hours support

Effective team worker with a collaborative mindset

Sympathetic to the teachings and values of the Catholic Church

Desirable

Membership of the Chartered Society of Designers or other relevant professional body

Experience using email marketing platforms (e.g., Mailchimp) and design tools (e.g., Canva, Adobe Creative Cloud)

Photography and/or video editing skills

To have worked in a charity or third sector organisation

Understanding of parish life and diocesan structures

Experience supporting volunteers

Understanding of Church communications and branding

Understanding of the application of GDPR to the storage and use of participant information and data privacy

How to Apply

Please send a comprehensive and up to date Curriculum Vitae along with a covering letter setting out your suitability for the role and motivation in applying (no more than 2 sides A4) to recruitment@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk Please state ‘Communications Officer' in the subject line of your email.

The Diocese of Portsmouth is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from all who support the ethos and values of the Catholic Church.

We encourage an early application as we may close this advertisement at our discretion before the date stated, if a high number of applicants apply.

The closing date for applications is Sunday 27th July 2025, at 10pm.

Interview Details

You will be notified shortly after the closing date, should we wish to progress your application and invite you to an interview.

Appointment

Any offer of employment to work at the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth is conditional upon receipt of two satisfactory employment references, provision of relevant certification of qualifications held, and completion of pre-employment checks.

You must have a valid UK Right to Work, as the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth does not offer UK Visa Sponsorship.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: £30,000.00-£32,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Health & wellbeing programme
• Life insurance
• On-site parking
• Sick pay

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Application question(s):

• Do you a valid UK Right to Work, as the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth does not offer UK Visa Sponsorship?
• Do you have a degree (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant discipline such as graphic design, communications, media, or marketing?
• Are you highly computer literate, confident using Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Suite?
• Do you have a strong creative portfolio and excellent organisational skills?

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 27/07/2025
Reference ID: Communications Officer (Graphic Design & Media)