Communications Officer

National Youth Orchestras of Scotland; Glasgow; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job description

It is an exciting time to work for NYOS as we build on an amazing legacy and develop new plans. We want to ensure that our work is celebrated and shared with audiences and stakeholders across Scotland and beyond. To do this we need clear and engaging communications that showcase our programmes, celebrate our impact, and tell our story.

We are looking for a Communications Officer who shares our ambitions and values and wants to be part of a small, friendly team that supports NYOS' mission to nurture, celebrate and widen access to outstanding classical youth music-making, inspiring young people to realise their potential.

The Communications Officer is a new role within our dynamic and forward-thinking team. You will utilise a range of channels to ensure our communications are distinct and connect with audiences old and new, across a diverse range of communities. Collaborating with others in the team, you will sharpen our messages and draft key documents to share the joy of our work, reaching out to press and media to share key communications celebrating the power of music and the opportunities NYOS provides.

You do not need to fulfil every element of the job description to apply. We are interested in finding someone who really wants to contribute to NYOS’s work and will support your professional development if you have the right potential. If this role excites you, but you are unsure about applying, please feel free to get in touch for an informal conversation.

Application notes

Please submit your CV and a cover letter (no more than 2 A4 pages) along with the equal opportunities monitoring form (available from our website) by the closing date of 9 am on Tuesday 22 April.

The equal opportunities form is designed to help NYOS achieve its aspiration to become a truly inclusive community. Referees will not be contacted prior to interview or without your permission.

You may send a video or audio recording in place of the cover letter if you wish.

Who we are

Reeltime Music is a creative youth work charity that supports disadvantaged young people through music and the creative industries. We provide workshops, partnership projects, volunteering opportunities, and recording and rehearsal services to help young people develop skills, confidence, and creativity.

What you’ll do

As Funding Officer, you’ll work closely with our CEO to secure funding that sustains and grows our work. You’ll develop and manage fundraising efforts, write compelling funding applications, and build strong relationships with funders and partners. Your work will directly support creative opportunities for young people.

About you

• Strong writing skills, with experience crafting funding applications and impact reports.
• Ability to engage and influence funders, partners, and key stakeholders.
• Highly organised, able to juggle multiple projects and meet deadlines.
• Self-motivated and comfortable working independently.
• A strong interest in youth work and the creative sector.
• Flexible working – We’ll agree on a schedule that suits you.
• Make a difference – Your work will directly enable creative opportunities for young people.
• Supportive team – Work collaboratively in a creative and mission-driven organisation.
• Good leave – 32 days (pro-rata) including public holidays.
• On site: Based in Cockenzie, but work can be across various locations in East Lothian.
• Closing 31st March 2025.

Heavy Sound is a Community Interest Company, incorporated in 2015, based in East Lothian. We work with disconnected young people and adults, re-engaging them through strength-based activities of interest including music, biking, sports, creative arts, education, mentoring and 1:1 therapy. By building trusting relationships we help inspire positive opportunities for further learning, life skills development, and future training and employment.

Job Role:

The successful candidate will be a music practitioner with experience of taking a trauma-informed, therapeutic approach. An additional skillset in creative arts, or sports/biking/outdoor pursuits/other activities would be highly desirable.

• You will be facilitating 1:1 and group sessions as well as developing and delivering music-based projects with young people, all of whom have experienced trauma. Your work will focus on providing opportunities for participants to enjoy music and be playful with their own musicality in a trauma-inclusive environment. Sessions and projects are adapted to suit the young people’s individual needs and interests. They may include listening to music, creating music videos, writing, recording, and producing the young people’s music, learning songs and playing together, or facilitating therapeutic group activities such as drumming workshops or beat making. You will work in a resource-oriented way to empower and encourage the young people to explore their musical interests and have fun with music. Our participants have diverse needs. You should be adaptable, patient, and able to create an inclusive space where every young person feels valued and inspired.
• We are looking for someone with an additional skillset in creative arts, sports/biking/outdoor pursuits/other activities to deliver 1:1 and group sessions as described above.

Successful candidates must possess a positive can-do attitude, a real talent for engaging young people, demonstrate self-motivation, and exhibit a strong ability to adapt to changing circumstances in order to thrive in our dynamic work environment.

Flexibility in working hours is essential, as the role includes a weekly evening drop-in, with occasional cover needed for absences in our evening outreach programme supporting youth clubs in East Lothian, and occasional weekend events work.

Full-time or part-time considered depending on skillset.

• On site: Based in Cockenzie, but work can be across various locations in East Lothian.
• Closing 18th April 2025.

Overview of Organisation:

Heavy Sound is a Community Interest Company, incorporated in 2015, based in East Lothian. We work with disconnected young people and adults, re-engaging them through strength-based activities of interest including music, biking, sports, creative arts, education, mentoring and 1:1 therapy. By building trusting relationships we help inspire positive opportunities for further learning, life skills development, and future training and employment.

16+ Programme:

Heavy Sound transforms the lives of vulnerable, disengaged and, in the main, care-experienced 11–15-year-olds across East Lothian. Based on their needs, we have developed a 16+ Programme to extend this support to provide:

• Qualifications
• Support into further education, volunteering, training and employment.

Participants are referred mainly through education and social work, and engage in a variety of activities including education, music, biking, sports and mentoring, leading to qualifications and awards, and life skills development.

Flexibility in hours is required as there is a weekly evening 16+ drop-in.