DEPARTMENT:
Fundraising and Communications
JOB TITLE:
Head of Marketing Communications & Brand
DESCRIPTION UPDATED: September 2014
1. MAIN PURPOSE OF JOB
 To develop and deliver Samaritans marketing communications strategy and associated
campaigns
 To manage the marketing, internal and volunteer communications and brand and design
functions of Samaritans across volunteer, caller, and supporter/fundraising audiences, to
ensure that priority objectives are achieved in line with marketing and communications
strategies and plans. Primary areas of accountability include: Marketing communications
and brand; partnership and project specific marketing campaigns; stakeholder/volunteer
communication and events; print and production; and internal communications.
 To build and maintain our brand reputation, and influence with key external audiences and
stakeholders covering all key areas of Samaritans’ activity.
 When requested to provide, where possible, advice and support to the Chief Executive,
directors, staff and trustees on matters related to the work of the marketing communications
and brand team.
2. POSITION IN ORGANISATION
 Reports to Director of Communications
 Works closely with other Communications and Departmental Heads of Teams and with other
teams within Samaritans.
 Manages up to 4 direct & 6 indirect reports
3. SCOPE OF JOB
 Department Strategy - Works with Director of Communications and other Communications
Heads to drive forward the work of the Communications Dept.
 Marketing Communications Management and Planning
 Brand and corporate image and reputation
 Line management and team building
 Cross Team Planning / Support
 General duties of a Samaritan’s staff member
4.
DIMENSIONS AND LIMITS OF AUTHORITY
 Responsible for planning and controlling teams expenditure budget (agreed annually)
 Guardian of the corporate image of Samaritans, including brand identity.
5.
QUALIFICATIONS
 A Degree or member of an appropriate professional body of recognised Graduate status.
 Management qualification – desirable
This Job Description is a statement of requirements at1the time of writing. It should not be seen as precluding
future changes after appointment to this role.
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7.
SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
Significant experience of working in marketing/brand/communications or related profession.
Significant experience of team management.
Demonstrable experience of Marketing/brand/communications planning and strategy
development
Excellent interpersonal and people management skills, with the ability to exercise tact and
diplomacy to achieve goals.
Demonstrable budget management experience, with a commercial understanding.
Ability to manage change and risk to ensure delivery of objectives within financial and
other constraints.
Skilled at building confidence and effective working relationships with staff and volunteers at
all levels, using a co-operative and open working style to build trust and support colleagues.
Experience of developing, managing and sustaining professional relationships with external
agencies/suppliers.
Excellent written and verbal communications skills, including the ability to successfully
communicate a range of research and emotional health information, to a wide range of
‘laypersons’.
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
 Excellent verbal and written communications skills
 Ability to work effectively with colleagues at all levels across the department and
organisation.
 Ability to plan and meet deadlines essential
 Highly developed diplomacy and negotiation skills
 Strong organisational skills essential.
 Strong presentation skills essential.
This Job Description is a statement of requirements at2the time of writing. It should not be seen as precluding
future changes after appointment to this role.
Part 2:
DUTIES & KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Marketing Communications & Brand Strategy
 To support the Director of Communications through developing and delivering the marketing
communications and brand strategy for the Charity consistent with its vision, mission and
values, and in overseeing and co-ordinating the preparation and implementation of detailed
marketing and brand communications, and internal communications plans which accurately
reflect strategic and operational priorities and targets approved by the Director
Marketing Communications Management and Planning
 Manages the development of the Marketing Communications & Brand team’s
objectives/strategy in line with the overall Departmental Communications strategy.
 Oversees all marketing campaigns to ensure coherent presence through marketing activity
with key external audiences, including partnerships with service and corporate partners
 Develops detailed activity programmes for each team member and monitors progress.
 Manages and briefs external suppliers/agencies.
 Evaluates marketing communications and brand initiatives/campaigns in line with objectives.
 Develops an understanding of priority audiences for key marketing campaigns including
service, awareness and fundraising campaigns
 Develops, advises on and improves organisational internal communications plans and
activity across volunteer network, branches and GO to ensure consistent approach to
marketing communications throughout the Samaritans branch network
 Project manages one-off cross departmental projects for the organisation on behalf of the
Department.
 Works with the Nations Directors to ensure marketing campaigns and internal
communications are consistent and appropriate for ROI, Northern Ireland, Wales and
Scotland.
Brand & Corporate Image
 Develops, implements and monitors consistent key messages across external marketing and
internal communications.
 Develops and maintains Samaritans brand presence, including brand guardianship.
 Establishes standards of excellence in all written and spoken marketing communications.
 Oversees and approves quality control for all marketing communications and brand materials
produced by Samaritans in line with the brand image and identity
 Takes forward leadership and development of One Voice brand guardianship policy working
with the volunteer leadership and branch network
 Oversees the corporate communications service, including print and production purchase,
design, copy writing/editing expertise and the development of marketing communications
and brand materials.
Line Management and Team Building
 To provide management and support to a team of up to 10 communication specialists
 To ensure a cohesive approach throughout the team to ensure all staff within the team
receives a Performance Development Review and that copies are passed to HR.
 Line manages Communications Manager and Brand and Design Manager plus fixed term
contract posts to be determined
 Sets and regularly reviews individual objectives in line with Department Objectives.
 Conducts regular coaching and performance monitoring meetings / one to ones.
 Conducts annual performance development reviews on own team
This Job Description is a statement of requirements at3the time of writing. It should not be seen as precluding
future changes after appointment to this role.
Cross Team Planning / Support
 Member of Communications Heads of Team, working with the Director to set Departmental
strategy and ensure cohesive cross-team planning within the Department
 Participates in and/or leads cross team working groups.
 Develops campaign ideas, timings, and initiatives for the Communications Department.
 Attends and runs workshops / gives presentations at internal training/information week-ends
for volunteers.
 Provides advice on complex issues to staff and volunteers on marketing communications
planning and techniques.
 Works within and adheres to Samaritans’ equal opportunities policy across all marketing
communications.
 Works with other Heads of Teams to identify interdepartmental issues affecting
performance and effectiveness and to propose and implement action plans.
General duties of a Samaritan’s staff member
 To work co-operatively and effectively with colleagues to ensure integration.
 To assist in identifying and highlighting key external trends which are relevant to the Charity’s
operation and provide relevant advice.
 To develop appropriate plans, budgets and performance measurements (including user
feedback) for own areas of responsibility.
 To participate, as appropriate, in staff forums and meetings.
 To adhere to Samaritans’ Policies and Procedures.
 To carry out other tasks as required by the Director of Communications from time to time.
 This Job Description is a statement of requirements at the time of writing. It should not be
seen as precluding future changes after appointment to this role.
This Job Description is a statement of requirements at4the time of writing. It should not be seen as precluding
future changes after appointment to this role.