Communications assistant trainee

Closing date for applications: 2nd January 2026 at 5.00pm

Salary: London Living Wage

Location: Somerset House, London

Start date: 26th January 2026 (flexible)

Duration: 6 months

Working hours: 4 days per week, hybrid

Interviews: Week commencing 12th January

Are you passionate about visual arts and eager to build your digital communications skills? This supportive traineeship gives you the chance to gain hands-on social media experience, create content, and learn how an arts organisation champions its community.

The Association of Illustrators (AOI) is the UK’s professional body for illustration. Founded in 1973 and based at Somerset House, it is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to championing illustrators and strengthening the illustration industry through advocacy, education and professional support. The AOI represents more than 2,100 members worldwide including freelance illustrators, agents, students, universities and studios. Its members work across children’s publishing, editorial, comics, animation, advertising, products, packaging and many other areas.

The AOI is looking for a communications assistant trainee to join the AOI membership team. This is a structured learning role designed to give a supported introduction to communications work within a not-for-profit arts organisation that works closely with creatives. The trainee will work closely with our communications coordinator, learning how we develop and deliver campaigns that promote illustrators’ work, editorial content, member resources and events. They will gain experience in social media planning, newsletter and website editing, and preparing illustrator features. The communications assistant trainee will also be encouraged to pitch new ideas for digital content that speak to a broad community of illustrators, including those from underrepresented backgrounds.

By the end of this placement, the communications assistant trainee will have built a strong portfolio, gained practical communication skills, and built confidence in pursuing a sustainable career in arts, publishing or communications. This traineeship is well suited to someone who enjoys writing, visual culture and social media and who wants to gain practical experience in arts and publishing communications.


Key activities

The communications assistant trainee will support the AOI’s digital communications and marketing activity. They will help us celebrate illustrators’ work and promote our organisation’s offering while developing their own skills within a supportive team environment.

• Assist with planning and scheduling social media content across Instagram, Facebook, Threads and LinkedIn, using tools such as Later in line with the AOI content calendar
• Research members’ work and illustrator folios to spotlight across social channels, newsletters and the website, with attention to a wide range of voices, styles and specialisms
• Support the drafting and preparation of AOI newsletters, especially our Folios focused campaigns
• Learn to use Adobe Express templates to create simple on brand digital assets
• Learn to prepare, maintain, and update website content using WordPress including news articles, resources, opportunities, events and articles
• Research and upload events and plan listings ahead of time
• Assist with general internal and external communications administration, including Mailchimp audience management and list maintenance
• Support follow-up communications after events including sharing recordings and assisting with member feedback and evaluation

What you will gain

• Insight into communications within a creative membership organisation, including how to plan campaigns and platform illustrators’ work
• Hands-on social media experience including planning, scheduling, evaluating and adapting content for different audiences using basic analytics
• Content and website management skills including using WordPress to edit articles, events, and news, and preparing accessible digital content with appropriate imagery and alt text
• Editorial and curation experience through helping select and present illustration work for newsletters and features
• Understanding of how a not-for-profit arts organisation operates, including experience of advocacy, membership services, and events
• Experience with key tools and systems including Later, Mailchimp, Adobe Express, Office365, WordPress, and SurveyMonkey
• Insight into the illustration and animation industry, the types of projects being undertaken and the challenges facing the sector
• Transferable professional skills including project management, collaboration, time management, communication and the ability to work to deadline

What we are looking for

• A genuine interest and enthusiasm for illustration, visual arts/storytelling and the wider arts/publishing landscape
• An interest in written subjects such as English, media or humanities is beneficial - this could be demonstrated through writing blogs, student publications, zines or social media
• General familiarity with social media platforms, particularly for community or project use
• Curiosity, good observational skills, and a willingness to learn and ask questions
• The ability to work well both collaboratively and independently
• Strong organisational skills e.g. keeping track of tasks, meeting deadlines, managing files
• Experience helping to promote events, creative projects or community initiatives would be beneficial (whether paid, voluntary, or informal)

To apply

• Log in to your Creative Access account or register today to apply for this opportunity
• Upload your CV and cover letter as one document (applications without a tailored cover letter will not be accepted)
• Once submitted, you can no longer amend your application, so proof-read carefully
• Do not contact the company directly
• Please email any queries about this role to Creative Access at this address: recruit@creativeaccess.org.uk

This opportunity is open to Black, Asian and ethnically diverse candidates.

This role is part-funded by the Mo Siewcharran Memorial Fund which supports internships for young talent from ethnicities that are under-represented in the theatre, publishing and music industries.