Marketing and Communications Manager

Help us make Swanage Railway one of Dorset’s must-visit attractions!

Location: Swanage, Dorset

Salary: 40K

Hours: 40 hours per week, worked over 5 days out of 7

Contract: Permanent, full-time

Closing date: November 14^th, 2026

Full of creative ideas? Want to work somewhere a little different?

We’re looking for a talented, enthusiastic and commercially minded Marketing and Communications Manager to join Swanage Railway and help shape the next chapter of our story.

We’re not your average visitor attraction. We have steam trains, stunning Dorset countryside, fascinating heritage, incredible volunteers and thousands of visitors who come to make memories with us every year.

But we’re also an ambitious charity with big plans for the future. We want to attract new audiences, create unforgettable experiences, grow our visitor numbers and make sure Swanage Railway continues to thrive for generations to come.

And that’s where you come in!

What will you be doing?

You’ll be responsible for leading our marketing and communications, helping us reach more people, sell more tickets and tell the stories that make Swanage Railway so special.

One day you might be developing a campaign for a major steam gala, the next creating content for social media, working with the press, promoting a new visitor experience or helping us reach an entirely new audience.

You’ll work closely with our CEO, managers, staff and volunteers, and you’ll have the opportunity to bring your own ideas to life. This is a role where you can genuinely make a difference.

We’re looking for someone who can:

• Create brilliant marketing campaigns that attract visitors and drive ticket sales.
• Bring fresh ideas and creativity to our brand and visitor experience.
• Make the most of digital marketing, social media, email campaigns and our website.
• Use data and insights to understand what works and improve results.
• Help us reach new audiences, particularly families and visitors to Dorset.
• Build strong relationships with the media, tourism partners and local businesses.
• Lead and inspire our volunteer marketing team.
• Keep our staff and volunteers informed, engaged and connected.
• Make a real impact, even when budgets are tight!

What makes this role different?

For a start, your office might occasionally come with the sound of a steam whistle!

But more importantly, you’ll be joining an organisation with a fascinating history, a passionate community and an exciting future. You’ll have the opportunity to shape our marketing strategy, develop our brand and help transform how we connect with visitors.

We’re looking for someone who understands that great marketing is about more than beautiful photographs and social media engagement. It’s about inspiring people to visit, creating memorable experiences and turning that interest into real results.

Do you need to know anything about railways?

Absolutely not! Of course, an interest in heritage would be lovely, but we’re much more interested in your marketing skills, creativity, enthusiasm and commercial experience.

You might currently work in tourism, hospitality, leisure, retail, events or another customer-focused sector. What matters is that you understand how to attract audiences, build a brand and get people through the door. We’ll teach you about the trains!

Why join Swanage Railway?

You’ll be joining us at an exciting time as we develop our future as a charitable organisation, invest in our visitor experience and work towards our long-term ambitions.

You’ll be part of a team of dedicated staff and volunteers who care enormously about the railway and the difference it makes to our community. And you’ll have the chance to make your mark on one of Dorset’s best-loved heritage attractions.

Working Hours

This is a permanent, full-time role working 40 hours per week, over 5 days out of 7. As a busy visitor attraction, weekend and bank holiday working will be required, particularly during our major events and peak visitor periods.

Interested?

If you’re creative, commercially minded, enthusiastic and ready for a new challenge, we’d love to hear from you.

To apply: Please send your CV and a covering letter explaining why you’d like to join Swanage Railway and what you could bring to the role.

Email: [email protected]

Closing date: 14^th November 2026