Communications Officer

About us

Holocaust Memorial Day Trust brings people together across the UK to remember the Holocaust, learn from the past and challenge prejudice today.

Holocaust Memorial Day takes place on 27 January. We commemorate the six million Jewish men, women and children murdered during the Holocaust, and the millions more murdered under Nazi persecution. We also learn and commemorate where persecution led in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.

Through national commemoration and year-round education, we protect the legacy of the Holocaust against denial and distortion, and help build a society rooted in empathy, understanding and respect.

www.hmd.org.uk

The role

We are seeking a highly motivated Communications Officer to support the Head of Communications, with a focus on digital and social content, to expand the reach and impact of Holocaust Memorial Day and Light the Darkness.

You will have experience in digital marketing and a passion for all things digital. You will play a key role in engaging and inspiring audiences through remembrance and education about the Holocaust, and in empowering people to stand against prejudice today.

This role will take ownership of social media and email communications, while supporting wider campaigns and media activity.

Who are we looking for? 

Holocaust Memorial Day Trust is for everyone, and we are committed to building a team that reflects the diversity of our society.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities and experiences, and particularly encourage candidates from communities that are underrepresented in our workforce, including people from minoritised ethnic backgrounds and disabled people.

We are especially interested in people who share our values—empathy, understanding and respect—and who are motivated to use remembrance and education to challenge prejudice and help build a more compassionate future.

Please note we are not in a position to sponsor visas so applicants should already hold a right to work in the UK. Applicants should also reside in the UK.

Application for the post of:

Communications Officer - full-time permanent role

Applying for the roles

We will shortlist candidates based on a CV and a cover letter (maximum two pages) addressing the following:

· Why you want to work at HMDT 

· Why you are interested in this role 

· How you meet the person specification 

Please send your CV and cover letter to recruitment@hmd.org.uk. Please note we will only accept applications by email.

In your cover letter, please show how you meet the person specification by providing relevant evidence, as this will be used to shortlist candidates for interview. You are also welcome to complete the optional Equality and Diversity form (password: HMDT) and include it with your application.

If you would like to discuss any aspect of the role or the application process, please call 020 7785 7029. If you have any access requirements, please let us know and we will do all we can to accommodate you.

Job Description and Person Specification 

Reporting to: Head of Communications

Direct reports: None

Location: Vauxhall, Central London

Starting salary: £33,237 - £35,033 per annum

Salary scale: 18-22

Contract type: Permanent

Annual leave: 25 days per annum (increase by 2 days after two years’ service up to maximum of 5 additional days after 5 years of service)

Hours 35 hours per week full-time 

Office hours are 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday (with some flexibility including working from home)

Core working hours/day are 10am – 4pm - Tuesday to Thursday (with some flexibility including working from home)

Occasional hours outside of these will be necessary for which TOIL will be granted

You will be expected in the office a minimum of 3 days per week for the full-time role, rising to 4 days per week during the HMD period.

Job purpose and role

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to communications for an organisation with national impact.

Each year, Holocaust Memorial Day reaches millions of people across the UK -through powerful communications, national media coverage and large-scale public engagement. This year during Holocaust Memorial Day 2026 we saw:

· Nearly 2,000 media mentions across broadcast, print and online

· Coverage on major TV channels including BBC, ITV and Sky News

· Over 24,000 social media engagements, with growing digital reach

· A nationwide billboard campaign and an iconic moment at the famous screens at Piccadilly Circus.

· An award-winning UK National Ceremony, bringing together senior leaders, celebrities and survivors.

From the UK National Ceremony to our national moment of remembrance ‘Light the Darkness’ - where over 200 landmarks and buildings across the country light up in purple, including the Houses of Parliament, London Eye, Edinburgh Castle and Cardiff Castle - you will support communications and engagement nationwide.

Main Responsibilities

Digital Communications (Primary Focus)

· Work with the Head of Communications to develop and deliver the social media marketing plan, creating content and reporting on performance

· Lead day-to-day content of social media channels, including planning, scheduling and monitoring 

· Create inspiring, high-quality content using a range of digital tools

· Manage and deliver email marketing campaigns via Mailchimp, including the monthly eNewsletter and targeted mailings

· Build and grow digital audiences

· Monitor, measure and report on performance using SEO tools and Google Analytics, providing regular insights

 Campaigns & Content

· Work with colleagues across the organisation to plan and deliver campaigns and initiatives

· Ensure digital activity is integrated into wider campaigns and communications

· Contribute creative ideas and storytelling to support engagement and reach

· Support promotion of key moments such as the UK National Ceremony and Light the Darkness

Media & Press (Supporting role)

· Draft press releases and media materials

· Support media outreach and maintain media contact lists

· Monitor media coverage

· Assist in responding to media enquiries

 Brand & Messaging

· Ensure all communications reflect HMDT’s tone, sensitivity and purpose

· Maintain consistency across messaging and channels

· Contribute to clear, engaging and accessible content

All staff are expected to work as part of the wider HMDT team to realise the charitable aims of HMDT and the organisational strategic plan and undertake other tasks as may reasonably be required.

General

• Undertake any other duties which may reasonably be requested

• Provide support and cover of duties across the wider team where necessary

• Work as part of the HMDT team to realise the charitable aims and Holocaust Memorial Day Trust organisational strategic plan

Personal Specification  

Essential

· At least 2 years’ experience in a communications, digital or PR role

· Experience of managing social media accounts and creating engaging content

· Creating and uploading content to digital platforms, in a professional context 

· Creating content for and dispatching email marketing campaigns using marketing platforms such as MailChimp

· Strong writing and editing skills with excellent attention to detail

· Experience using tools such as Canva/Adobe suite and social media scheduling platforms (e.g. Hootsuite)

· Ability to analyse performance and use data to improve content

· Strong organisational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities

· Have an interest in and commitment to the values of HMDT

· Understand and be committed to diversity and inclusion

Desirable

· Experience supporting media relations or press activity

· Experience working on campaigns or events

· Basic photography and/or video editing skills for digital campaigns

· Interest in current affairs, education or the charity sector

Personal Qualities

· Enthusiastic and motivated to develop a career in communications

· Energetic with a pro-active approach, who brings new ideas to the team

· Well organised, with a common-sense approach, and willingness to learn 

· Attention to detail and multi-tasker

· Sensitive and thoughtful when working with complex historical content

· Strong team player with good interpersonal skills

· Available to travel and attend off site events from time to time

Why Join Us

· Take ownership of digital communications with real national reach

· Work on campaigns seen by millions across the UK

· Be part of a moment that brings the nation together each year to shape a better future built on compassion, empathy and respect

· Develop your skills in media, digital and campaign communications

· Join a supportive, mission-driven team

This job description is intended as a guide to the main responsibilities of the role, not as an exhaustive list of duties and tasks. The post holder may be required to undertake other duties appropriate to the grade that are not listed above. HMDT examines and updates job descriptions periodically to ensure they relate to the role being performed.

All staff are required to support key activities such as attending HMD events therefore using annual leave in peak periods may be restricted.

Thank you for your interest in the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust.