Senior Communications Lead

Job Title	Senior Communications Lead
Location:	Fully remote with a preference for European or Southeast Asian time zones
Salary:	£24,000 GBP per annum
Contract Length and Hours:	Permanent, 4 or 5 days a week, following a 3-month probation period
Job Start Date:	Early 2026, flexible
Reporting to:	Development Manager
Closing date for applications	30th November 2025 (23.59 pm GMT)

 

ABOUT REEF-WORLD

The Reef-World Foundation is a registered UK charity that delivers practical solutions for marine conservation globally. They are a small but highly effective team of passionate individuals dedicated to achieving lasting conservation impacts where they are most needed. Starting in Thailand in 1999, we now operate across 15 countries, supporting governments, businesses, and communities to sustainably develop their coastal resources.

Today our team is committed to our mission to inspire and empower people to act in conserving and sustainably developing coastal resources, particularly coral reefs and related ecosystems. We are driven by our vision of a future where coral reefs are healthy and thriving.

In partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Reef-World works to stop the environmental impact of the global marine tourism industry through the internationally recognised Green Fins initiative. The work focuses on buying more time for coral reefs to thrive by mobilising collective and urgent action through the marine tourism industry.

Our work involves supporting, inspiring and empowering governments, businesses, communities and individuals around the world to act in conserving and sustainably developing coral reefs and other coastal resources.

The Reef-World Foundation is subject to UK employment law.

 

Purpose of the Role

The Senior Communications Lead is a pivotal, hands-on role responsible for driving the organisation’s public presence, conservation impact and supporting its financial sustainability.

This role is critical to scaling Reef-World’s global reach. You will be the engine driving our communications strategy and securing the essential funding that directly supports our global marine conservation programmes.

This role is expected to allocate approximately 90% of time to Communications duties and 10% of time to Development support.

The primary responsibility is the strategic development, implementation, and oversight of the Communications Strategy to significantly raise the profile and maximise the global reach of both The Reef-World Foundation and its flagship initiative, Green Fins. The post-holder will be instrumental in translating complex marine conservation outcomes into compelling content that drives public awareness, action, and digital engagement.

The remaining time is dedicated to providing essential, operational support for the charity’s income generation and development activities. This includes maintaining key donor and supporter records via the CRM database, ensuring timely donor acknowledgement, and actively supporting the creation and delivery of fundraising campaigns to ensure the long-term sustainability and expansion of Reef-World’s vital programs.

The Officer will work closely with and report directly to the Development Manager, ensuring all communication and development efforts are strategically aligned to meet measurable organisational objectives.

** We recognise that this role has a broad scope, encompassing both strategic communications leadership and development support. We do not expect the impossible. Instead, we are looking for a highly organised professional who excels at prioritisation, time management, coordination, and defining realistic outcomes within the allocated hours and available support for execution (volunteers, contractors, consultants, etc.). We value sustainable, high-quality output over relentless effort and do not celebrate burnout. **

 

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Strategy

• Lead on Communications strategy setting, oversight, and delivery, reporting to the Development Manager.
• Lead on setting annual Objective and Key Results with measurable targets to deliver on the strategy.
• Lead on quarterly reporting of progress against targets to the Development Manager.

 

Web and Social Media

• Maintain the Reef-World and Green Fins websites, conducting regular content audits.
• Support the external consultant/agency on monthly social media content planning and strategic data monitoring.
• Own the strategic oversight of social media platforms and integrate reporting learnings into the Communications Strategy to maximise impact and reach.
• Delivering consistent reports on website and social media analytics to track and analyse digital engagement.
• Support public awareness and fundraising campaigns using web, email marketing, and social media.

 

Content Creation 

• Diligently research and compose insightful and engaging articles and blogs for the Reef-World and Green Fins websites.
• Engage new, and liaise with current volunteers, journalists and bloggers to build content creation capacity.

• Alongside the Programmes team, assist in the gathering of photos and videos from field operations.
• Lead on the systematic archiving of footage and content contributing to a rich repository of content, ensuring easy access across the organisation.
• Provide design support to the Programmes team for dive industry facing projects such as e-course graphics, toolkit development and presentations (mostly from assets already created). 

 

Branding, outreach, education and marketing

• Oversee and implement the design and development of key marketing assets like the annual Impact Report, newsletter, and fundraising packs.
• Alongside the Programmes team, maintain and develop the collection of outreach and education materials used in our conservation programmes such as e-course graphics, toolkit development and presentations (mostly from assets already created). 
• Maintain and develop the collection of outreach and comms materials used in our conservation programmes.
• Provide branding assistance across the organisation to ensure consistent use of the logo, brand colours, fonts, and templates.

 

Community and Sector Engagement

• Act as a contact for outreach partners (press and media), Green Fins partners (dive and snorkel operators and dive professionals), general public (individuals) and partners (corporate) on communication-related matters
• Represent Reef-World at conferences, dive and travel shows, and international conservation events

• Use initiative to expand our current media reach.

 

Development

• Maintain up-to-date records of donors, supporters and the network using a CRM database (Brevo).
• Ensure timely thank yous to individual donors.
• Support Development Manager on the creation and delivery of fundraising campaigns.
• Support the Development Manager to ensure partnership Communications deliverables are fulfilled.

 

Culture and General Duties

The role is expected to actively uphold the charity’s Culture of Care. General duties include:

 

• Ensuring effective teamwork and morale in line with Reef-World’s core values.
• Utilising internal communication platforms to maintain regular communication within the Development team and with other staff.
• Making use of well-being days.
• Using insights from TypeCoach personality analysis to inform communication and methods of working.
• Make use of the support provided by the Reef-World team coach where applicable, and advocate for this among co-workers.
• Ensure organised accounting and reimbursement of all Reef-World expenses to the Directors.

• Supporting the Development Manager and Directors with reporting to Trustees, UNEP, and other funding sources.
• Following and ensuring staff follow all relevant laws.

 

The employee’s duties may from time to time be reasonably modified as necessary to meet the needs of the Charity and/or associated project. 

 

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR

The ideal candidate will be a proactive, experienced professional with a focus on both communications strategy and development support.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Category	Essential	Desirable
Strategy & Leadership	Proven track record in developing, executing, and reporting on multi-channel communications strategies that have demonstrably increased organisational reach and impact.	Experience working for an international, remote-first organisation.
	Experience in using Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) or similar target-setting frameworks to drive measurable results in communications.	Experience working with or within the marine conservation / environmental non-profit sector.
Digital & Content Expertise	Proficiency in website maintenance (e.g., using WordPress or similar CMS) and performing regular content audits.	Experience with basic photo and video editing for communications use.
	Experience with visual design tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Canva) to create engaging social media and marketing assets.
	Experience in email marketing platform management (e.g., Mailchimp, Brevo) and segmentation for different audiences.
	Demonstrable experience in strategic social media oversight and using analytics (e.g., Google Analytics, platform insights) to inform and refine strategy.
	Excellent ability to research, compose, and edit insightful, engaging, and error-free content (articles, blogs, press releases) for a diverse global audience.
Branding & Outreach	Experience overseeing the production of key marketing assets (e.g., annual reports, fundraising packs) and ensuring brand consistency across external materials.	Proven success in securing media coverage or engaging with journalists and bloggers to build content capacity.
	Confidence and professionalism in representing the organisation at conferences, events, and in media or partner communications.	Experience in systematic digital asset management (e.g., archiving photos and videos).
Development & Operations	Demonstrable understanding of the importance of donor stewardship and prompt, professional communication with supporters.	Direct experience in supporting the delivery of peer-to-peer or individual giving fundraising campaigns.
Core Values & Mindset	Alignment with and commitment to actively upholding a “Culture of Care” within a team, including using wellbeing practices and promoting positive internal communication.	Familiarity with and willingness to utilise personality analysis tools (e.g., TypeCoach or similar) for improved team communication and working methods.
	Excellent organisational skills with the ability to prioritise a high volume of varied work and report progress accurately and consistently to a line manager.	Fluency in an additional language relevant to Reef-World’s operational countries (e.g., Thai, Indonesian, Spanish).
Education & Training		A relevant degree or equivalent professional qualification in Communications, Marketing, Fundraising, or a related field.

 

Reef-World believes that a team with diverse experiences and backgrounds generates richer discussions and more nuanced thinking that will magnify our conservation impact. We strive to be an inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcome and respected. We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from anyone with the required skills and experience, whatever their background or location. We actively encourage applications from those whose identities reflect the diversity of the communities and networks we serve and whose identities are traditionally underrepresented in the conservation sector. 

BENEFITS

Holiday entitlement

30 days a year.

Flexible working

The Directors are based in an office in Bristol, U.K. and we have a field office in Dauin, Negros Oriental in the Philippines. As an international team working across time zones, our working policy is flexible and hybrid. 

Pension

For all employees, we pay a minimum of 3% of your qualifying earnings per month (over £6,240). For UK employees, you’ll pay a minimum of 5% of your qualifying earnings per month.

Culture of Care

As an organisation, we are invested in the personal and professional long-term success of our Reef-World team. Reef-World’s vision for a Culture of Care embodies a collection of support mechanisms aimed at enhancing the well-being of our team and enabling each of us to properly care for ourselves, our teammates and our network. These include –

• Access to a team coach
• Access to the personality type tool analysis for yourself and your team 
• Reflection days – dedicated time to reflect on your successes and takeaways
• Dedicated, and respected, focus time throughout your working week
• Exemplary and effective internal communication mechanisms
• We are a parent and family-friendly organisation, our Directors work flexibly around their children. 
• Reef-World is a safe space for everyone. We especially want to make sure we are a safe space for LGBTQIA+ people, neurodivergent and disabled individuals, and racialised communities. We’re constantly learning to make sure everyone feels welcome here.

Staff

A small, friendly and ambitious team. Read more about our staff team and Trustee board.

 

“The Reef-World Foundation is a phenomenal place to work where everyone’s contribution is valued and our team is able to punch well above our weight in terms of conservation impact. It has been an absolute pleasure to contribute to Reef-World’s output for the last 3.5 years.” James Greenhalgh, former member of staff and now Trustee

“From the call for applications to the interviews, it was already strongly evident that Reef-World embodies a Culture of Care. I have not seen this level of care for the recruitment process and I am fortunate to witness it unfold, especially for me who emerged from it getting the role. I imagine that for the many aspirants, Reef-World’s recruitment is a breath of fresh air as it clearly respects conservation professionals from the onset.” Dev Albao, Programmes Manager

“The Reef-World Foundation is a rare species.  Never have I experienced such a thorough and thoughtful onboarding process and genuinely supportive and kind team.  Alongside this spirit of care there is a drive and determination to work hard and deliver to the highest standard. Working in this sector can be tough and Reef-World has supported and encouraged me, and I look at the amazing impact of the work which makes it all worthwhile.” Naomi McClure, Development Manager

“I consider myself incredibly fortunate to be part of the Reef-World Foundation,  my time here has been a catalyst for both my professional and personal growth. Collaborating with passionate individuals sharing the common goal of protecting our marine ecosystems, particularly the coral reefs, has been an extraordinary journey. Moreover, the organisation’s culture of genuine care surpasses expectations, something for which I am very grateful. In all honesty, working with Reef-World has been the highlight of my career, and I’ve never been happier professionally.” Erin Canto, current member of staff

“It’s inspiring and motivating to work with everyone in the team who truly believes in our work — working together towards the organisation’s mission to have a global conservation impact. Reef-World has given me the opportunity to grow professionally and personally in the field of marine conservation, and I am truly grateful for that. I am very honoured to be part of this inspiring team that walks the talk!” Teresa Moh, current member of staff

Professional development and training 

We are committed to the long-term growth of our team. All staff members are empowered to set and pursue meaningful professional development goals as part of their annual objectives. We provide dedicated time, resources where available, and support to ensure you can continually develop your skills and expertise.

Reef-World’s Core Values 

• We empower our colleagues, our stakeholders, our partners and our supporters to have conservation impact. 
• We collaborate. Our approach is not competitive – the more we collaborate, the stronger the conservation impact we will have. 
• We are innovative. We are not afraid to break from the norm, and use innovative approaches and technology, for conservation impact.
• We stay optimistic in our decision making and in our approach to tackling global conservation issues. 

Reef-World’s Commitment to EDI 

Reef-World has incorporated an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) framework into its recruitment processes, resulting in more than 50% of leadership positions within the organisation being held by female professionals. Additionally, we take pride in operating as a fully remote team, engaging in asynchronous collaboration across various time zones.

HOW TO APPLY

Please email your CV and a separate attached short cover letter specific to this position to apply@reef-world.org. In your cover letter, please don’t repeat the information covered in your  CV, but do include how you meet the job specifications and why you feel you’re the best person for this role.

We will get back to you after the team has reviewed your application and if we would like to pursue your application. Due to the expected volume of incoming enquiries, the charity does not have the resources to provide feedback on applications that have not been accepted. If you do not hear from us, then take note that we have decided not to take your application further, and we wish you the best of luck in your career. 

Applications close: 30th November 2025 (23.59 pm GMT)

Interviews (online): First round 8-18 December 2025

Second round – 6-9 January 2026