JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE:
Head of Communications
REPORTS TO:
Chief Executive
SALARY:
£45,000
BACKGROUND
Spirit of 2012 (Spirit) is a charity established with an endowment of £47m from the
Big Lottery Fund, to spread the spirit, values and opportunities inspired by the
London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games across the UK.
JOB PURPOSE
It is a big mission for a small team. Our Head of Communications will lead and
deliver the effort to realise our Board’s aspiration for Spirit to increase our visibility.
We want to be recognised and valued as an organisation that is perpetuating the
values and the sport, cultural and community engagement themes of the Olympic
and Paralympic Games, and for our success in promoting wellbeing and social
cohesion and challenging perceptions of disability.
You will work closely with the Chief Executive to shape the strategic direction, and
lead delivery, of Spirit’s communications to achieve these ambitions.
Your immediate priority will be to collaborate with our grant partners to craft a
compelling narrative about the spread and impact of our funding in response to the
question “What is the legacy of the London 2012 Games?” We want to demonstrate
that Spirit’s investment in events as catalysts for change is not only keeping alive
the spirit of 2012, but continually reigniting it across the UK.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
You will develop, lead and maintain an overarching communications strategy and
operation, including:
Creating a compelling and inspiring narrative for Spirit that helps build its
identity and UK-wide profile;
Securing opportunities and channels to get messages out to target
audiences, maintaining strong working relationships with media networks
and contacts;
Working with the Director of Policy & Research and the Programme
Management Team to capture and develop vibrant and vivid ways of
communicating the impact of our grant-making, so that we can tell a story
of positive change for people and communities;
Overseeing all activities relating to media, social media, digital and
stakeholder communications and channels;
Planning and delivering communications activities, engaging Board Members
in events, announcements and publications as appropriate;
Liaising with, and advising grant partners on, project communications and
branding agreements;
Establishing strong, mutually respectful and beneficial relationships with our
grant partners and other stakeholders.
Contributing to our strategic direction and future plans.
Your role will involve:
Advising the Chief Executive and Board on potential media opportunities
and risks attached to announcements and project activities, producing
sensitive and robust defensive briefings when required.
Supporting internal communications within the Executive Team, and
between staff and the Board, sharing advance plans so that all staff and
Directors are well informed, and effectively involved in public facing
activities.
Planning and managing the communications budget, assets and resources,
in collaboration with the Head of Finance.
Managing our website contract, and commissioning and managing other
contractors within agreed performance frameworks as required.
Quality assuring communications outputs and products so that they are
well-crafted, engaging, informative and accurate.
Capturing and communicating the reach and impact of all Spirit
communications, including analysing digital traffic and trends and adapting
activity in response to those.
INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL CONTACTS
Spirit of 2012 Executive and Board
UK print, broadcast and digital media
Partners funded by Spirit of 2012 including Comic Relief, Hull 2017 UK City of
Culture, the British Olympic Association and the British Paralympic Association
The Big Lottery Fund
The National Lottery Promotions Unit
Public Affairs contacts, including officials of the UK, and of the Scottish, Welsh
and Northern Irish governments, Local Authorities (including the GLA) and
others.
PERSON SPECIFICATION – Head of Communications
Qualifications
A graduate degree or equivalent
Qualifications related to communications, media or marketing are desirable
Knowledge
Capacity to build and maintain professional networks and channels of
communication inside and outside the organisation
Ability to anticipate, and to respond quickly and effectively to, inaccuracy
or negativity in the press, the public and among stakeholders and to
enable the Board and Chief Executive to handle adverse reactions
Knowledge of practical planning techniques, for example, of flat plans, story
boards etc. would be an advantage.
Knowledge of, and competence in, desktop publishing would be an
advantage. Please specify in your application.
Experience
Significant experience of working with the media / press and an excellent
understanding of effective online and non-traditional media
communications, including digital media outlets and social media platforms.
Experience of leading and managing a strategic communications function
either as a senior communications manager within a large organisation, or
as communications lead within a smaller one.
Demonstrable experience of translating broad visions and strategies into
concrete achievements.
Brand promotion, protection and management, including experience of
issues that arise and of supporting compliance with branding guidelines.
Budget and resource management experience
Confidence in identifying, analysing and managing risks.
Skills
Excellent written and oral communication and presentation skills.
Ability to think and plan strategically
Ability to create and deliver an inspiring vision and message
Highly-developed negotiating and diplomatic skills
Ability to work productively within a small team, specifically to plan and
commission communications inputs from non-specialist colleagues.
Strong analytical skills and first-class attention to detail.
JOB RELATED COMPETENCIES
Communication
Negotiates good results
Leads strategic communications.
Expresses complex information in plain English.
Presents non-verbal information comprehensibly for specialists
& non-specialists
Is effective across print, broadcast and digital media & channels
Proof reads accurately.
Strategic
Identifies potential strategic partnerships.
Working
Contributes to strengthening partner relations.
Relationships
Aware of the need for political balance.
Checks & challenges assumptions that present political risks.
Aware of risks in potential partnerships e.g. with corporates.
Engages senior public figures in Spirit activities
Delivering
Ensures communications channels and products are high
Results
quality and appealing to audiences.
Develops a compelling narrative so impact is are well
communicated & appreciated.
Planning &
Develops, maintains & reviews project plans.
Organising
Manages expectations of senior staff /Board.
Identifies & manages communications risks.
Monitors progress regularly.
Manages financial planning of own business area.
Innovation
Commits to constant review & refreshment of all we do.
Leading through
Knows Spirit’s Vision & Values.
Vision & Values
Lives them in day to day work and behaviours.
‘Sells’ the vision & values to get partners on board & win
understanding & support.
Ensures visible, vibrant vision & values in our communications.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Staff work 36 hours per week. You will be based at our Somerset House office,
with negotiable opportunities for flexible working. The job requires some UK travel
and occasional weekend working e.g. attendance at events; media
monitoring/Tweeting.
There are 9 staff in this small team, and we must all be flexible and adaptable. You
must be able and willing to carry out all communications functions - from strategic
big picture setting to administration. The Communications & Business
Administration Officer will support some of the work.
Benefits include a substantial (10.2% of annual salary) employer pension
contribution.
Spirit of 2012 may ask you to carry out other tasks and duties from time to time