Communications & Digital Officer

Royal College of Ophthalmologists

About the Organisation

Royal College of Ophthalmologists is a membership organisation and the voice of the profession, with 4,500 members in the UK and overseas. Our role is to champion the speciality, set standards of training and practice, and influence change to make a difference to the lives of patients with eye conditions.

About the role

The Communications & Digital Officer delivers creative, high-quality communications that promote the College’s work, products, and services, supporting membership recruitment, retention, and engagement. The postholder creates, edits, and publishes compelling content across digital and print channels, ensuring it reflects the College’s brand, values, and priorities. They manage day-to-day digital communications, including website and social media updates, and support the delivery of campaigns, publications, and events.

Using data and digital insight, they help improve reach, visibility, and engagement. This is a hands-on, delivery-focused role for a proactive communicator who enjoys turning strategy into impactful, accessible, and engaging content and who is keen to develop new skills.

Responsibilities

Content Creation and Delivery:

• Draft, edit, and publish engaging, accessible content for the College’s website, newsletters, social media, and other marketing platforms.
• Support the production of College News, EyeMail, and other publications, ensuring editorial quality and brand consistency.
• Develop multimedia materials (graphics, video, infographics) in collaboration with the Senior Graphic Designer.
• Maintain and update the organisation-wide, multi-channel content plan.
• Manage day-to-day content scheduling and publishing for social media, monitoring engagement, and responding appropriately – within the framework set by the Communications Manager.

Digital Communications:

• Maintain and update website content, ensuring accuracy, clarity, accessibility, and brand alignment, and contribute to content audits and redevelopment projects.
• Support the delivery of digital campaigns that promote College events, membership benefits, resources, and other products or services.
• Work with colleagues to ensure content adheres to brand and editorial guidelines.
• Use approved artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist with content creation, scheduling, and analytics. 

Media, Campaigns & Internal Communications:

• Support media relations by drafting press releases and statements, maintaining media lists, and logging enquiries.
• Contribute to coordinating responses to journalists and organising interviews and briefings.
• Support implementation of project-specific communications plans to ensure key messages reach target audiences.
• Produce internal communications such as Eyes Down and intranet updates, sourcing content from colleagues.
• Assist with digital asset management, photography, video production, and related creative tasks.

Monitoring and Reporting:

• Track and analyse digital engagement, including website traffic, social media metrics, and newsletter performance.
• Produce monthly communications and marketing activity reports highlighting trends and insights.
• Maintain accurate records of media coverage and engagement data to support continuous improvement.

Collaboration and Support:

• Work collaboratively with colleagues across departments to support consistent, effective communication of College priorities.
• Provide administrative and logistical support for communications projects, publications, and campaigns.
• Contribute to a positive, inclusive, and innovative team culture, upholding the College’s values.

Skills, Competencies & Experience

Knowledge, Qualifications & Experience:

• Experience creating and managing digital content across multiple channels, ideally in a membership, professional, and healthcare environment.
• Experience in writing, editing, and adapting content for different audiences and formats.
• Working knowledge of website content management systems, analytics tools, search/answer engine optimisation, social media platforms, and e-newsletter software.
• Awareness of AI-enabled tools for content development, scheduling, and reporting.

Skills & Abilities:

• Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills with a strong eye for detail.
• Ability to plan, prioritise, and manage multiple tasks effectively.
• Confidence in collaborating with colleagues at all levels, including senior staff and external stakeholders.
• Proficiency in social media and digital publishing tools.
• Understanding of brand, visual identity, and accessibility principles.
• Ability to interpret analytics and use insights to improve engagement and performance.

Personal Attributes:

• Adaptable, organised and proactive, with a positive approach to teamwork and problem-solving.
• Builds strong working relationships and communicates clearly and respectfully across all levels of the organisation.
• Creative and curious, with a willingness to learn and contribute new ideas.
• Reliable under pressure, maintaining accuracy, composure, and focus during busy periods.
• Committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion and able to reflect these values in all areas of work.

Required Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or equivalent experience in communications, marketing, journalism, and a related discipline.

Compensation & Benefits

• 25 days of annual leave, increasing to 30 days with length of service (plus bank holidays and office closure between Christmas and New Year) one day of paid leave to move house
• Enhanced parental leave
• Paid carers leave
• Planning for your future
• Employer pension contributions up to a maximum of 12%.
• Career development
• All staff are offered opportunities for learning and development, in addition to a comprehensive e-learning package
• Study loans
• Season ticket loan
• Cycle to work scheme
• Summer Fridays (staff can finish 90 minutes early from mid-July to the end of August
• Enhanced Employee Assistance Programme (with access to free counselling sessions)
• Health Cash Plan

Working locations

• Hybrid model, working in the London office and remotely

How to apply

• Apply online

Policies

The College is committed to encouraging inclusion, equity and diversity among our staff, and eliminating unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation by complying with the Equality Act 2010. We want a working environment where individual differences and the contributions of all staff are recognised and valued. To do this, we will proactively tackle discrimination and disadvantage and ensure that no individual or group is directly or indirectly discriminated against for any reason. We expect all employees to champion and live our values through their work at every opportunity.  

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