Job title: Head of External Affairs
Reports to: Executive Director
Communication and Outreach
Location: London
Job number:
Directorate: C&O
Department: External Affairs
Band :
Competency profile :
2
D
Overall purpose: To manage the RIBA ’s reputation through targeted policy, public affairs, media relations and campaigns programme. Responsible for Building Futures
Strategy and Execution
Responsibilities and outcomes
Knowledge, skills & experience
General role
requirements/expectations
Key responsibilities
Strategy
Essential
Roles at this level are accountable for most or all of
the following:
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To develop and manage external affairs strategy for the Institute
identifying priorities and partnerships with other organisations
To line manage the external affairs team
To oversee Building Futures management and fundraising and place
RIBA as a key think tank in Building Environment.
Represent the RIBA in the media and at external fora
Accountable for the Unit’s budget.
Line manage the external affairs team.
To deputise as required for the Executive Director of C&O
Public Affairs
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Lead on advising on current and emerging key public affairs issues
likely to affect the RIBA and architecture.
Oversee the development of RIBA representation to Government
through consultations, legislation and proactive campaigns.
Oversee the RIBA Regions in public affairs activity including informal
line management of positions in Wales and London.
Establish and maintain targeted relationships with
Parliamentary/Government contacts and ensure that RIBA is
represented in Westminster
Several years experience in a policy development (including
policy related research) or think-tank environment and/or
public affairs role, including management experience.
Sound knowledge of parliamentary process, high degree of
political awareness and knowledge of central Government
structures relating to architecture.
Negotiation and advocacy skills and experience of
influencing political agendas.
Knowledge of architecture & the construction industry
Experience of media relations, representing the
organisation at all levels and developing and implementing
media strategies.
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Lead the development of policy, working with RIBA members, other
colleagues across the institute and the Nations & Regions to canvass
and coordinate views.
Identify opportunities for policy development flowing from
Government policies and proposals.
Consider, pro-actively, new areas for policy development in
consultation with the member committees
Media Relations
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Oversee the development of a media relations strategy to support the
corporate business plan
Oversee the development of media relationships by the press office
team, ensuring that their breadth reflects the breadth of the RIBA’s
work
Full responsibility for a major area of work reporting
to Executive Director or has deputising role across
the directorate.
Translates directorate strategy into operational
delivery.
Decisions
Makes decisions that impact on a functions’ ability to
achieve its annual plan and to meet some of its longer
term objectives.
Ability to think creatively and strategically, with a
broad/inclusive perspective.
Objectives and results of role are agreed, but role
holder largely free to determine how to meet these
objectives.
Experience of managing people and budgets.
People
Desirable
Responsible for staff within the function. Promote
best practice standards by supervising regularly,
monitoring and appraising direct reports and
coaching and supporting team members.
Policy development
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Scope
Experience of working with think tanks and/or
campaigning organisations.
Experience of working in a membership organisation.
Qualifications
Degree qualified or equivalent working experience.
Other
Ability to work occasional evening and weekends.
Resources
Functional budget accountability; may also have
functional income generation target.
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Oversee the development of a social media strategy
Oversee regional media relations activity
Campaigns
Oversight of cross-organisational campaigns to effect change, coordinating
across the Institute and overseeing campaigns strategy.
Internal Communications
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Oversee the development and implementation of an internal
communications strategy
Key outcomes
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A proactive programme of influencing policy and campaigns to effect
change in Whitehall and Westminster and beyond.
RIBA represented at the highest level on issues relating to architecture
through targeted external relationships.
A proactive media relations and social media strategy to support the
RIBA corporate business plan and 5 year strategy.
Widespread external recognition of RIBA’s position on key issues
relating to architecture and the built environment
7 March 2011