Communications, Marketing & Digital Manager
Location – Head Office, Colchester
Hours – 37.5 hours per week
Working Pattern – Monday – Friday
Salary – £35,000 – £40,000 per annum
Closing date – 12th September 2026
What its like to work for Open Road
Join a passionate team transforming lives across Essex. Open Road provides drug and alcohol treatment services and offender support services across Essex & Kent including a range of interventions that deliver mentoring, advice and information programmes. Accredited with Investing In Volunteers, our mission is to empower a diverse range of individuals, families and communities to lead healthy and more meaningful lives, free from addiction, offending behaviour and disadvantage, to ensure healthier, happier lifestyles.
The Role
This new, pivotal leadership role is responsible for driving our communications, marketing and digital strategy in line with our 2025–2030 Strategic Plan. You’ll ensure Open Road’s message is clear, consistent and inspiring — across media, digital platforms, and within our own organisation.
You’ll lead a small, talented team and champion innovation across digital engagement, CRM, website development, social media, and internal communications. You’ll also play a key role in representing Open Road externally — influencing stakeholders, funders and partners, and amplifying the voice of our service users.
About You
You’ll bring strategic insight and creative energy, along with:
- Degree-level qualification or equivalent experience in communications, marketing, public relations, or related field.
- Proven experience leading multi-channel communications, branding and digital engagement at a senior level.
- Strong storytelling and copywriting skills, with the ability to tailor content to different audiences.
- A deep understanding of digital marketing, analytics, and social media trends.
- The confidence to oversee IT and digital infrastructure in support of organisational goals.
- A collaborative, empowering leadership style and commitment to Open Road’s values of respect, inclusivity and innovation.
Experience in the voluntary, health or public sector — and an understanding of the power of lived experience and co-production — would be an advantage.
Why Join Open Road?
- 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays and a day off for your birthday.
- Health & wellbeing app with GP services, e-gym and mental health support.
- Royal London pension & death-in-service benefit.
- Tailored training and development opportunities.
- A supportive, values-driven team where your work truly changes lives.
We welcome applications from people seeking flexible working. Regular on-site presence is needed, but we’ll consider flexible arrangements where possible. This role is subject to a basic DBS check.
Application
Please use the following link to complete our online application form. Prior to starting please ensure you have all of the relevant information to hand. Take time to review the job pack below as the shortlisting will be carried out with the Job Description and Person Specification in mind.
Open Road Application Form (online form)
Open Road Equal Opportunities Form (online form)
Alternatively, you can use this link to complete the form via word and email to shannon.fleming@openroad.org.uk
Open Road Equal Opportunities Form
Open Road values and respects the diversity and individual differences of our services users, staff and our volunteers.
Job Pack