Head of communications (maternity cover)

The Centre for London is London’s think tank

The role

An exciting opportunity to grow the Centre’s reputation and shape policymaking in the capital. We are looking for a head of communications.

Key roles and responsibilities

Leading Centre for London’s Communications function:

• Oversee the delivery of the organisation’s 2020 communications plan working closely
  with the Director and SMT, including, but not limited to:
  • Developing and implementing communications plans to ensure that every
    project reaches its target audience and achieves impact.
  • Developing and maintaining the Centre’s media relationships and campaign
    networks.
  • Driving the Centre’s public affairs activity, working with colleagues in events
    and research to identify opportunities to develop and deliver activities such as
    parliamentary receptions and the Centre’s presence at party conferences.
  • Promoting the Centre’s work and reputation as a politically independent think
    tank and telling stories of its impact.
  • Ensuring the smooth roll out of a brand review and working with the Senior
    Designer to bring the team along with the changes.
  • Develop and deliver campaigns to promote Centre for London’s research,
    recommendations and events, extending the organisation’s reach and influence among
    targeted audiences.
• Provide overall strategic programme management to ensure planning, communication
  systems and processes are in place and being followed.
• Monitor and evaluate the Communications Team’s activities and progress; producing
  reports as required.
• Acting as relationship manager for some funders and sponsors – ensuring they’re briefed
  on project communications plans and any benefits are delivered.
  Budgeting & Financial Management
• Oversee financial planning and management for the organisation’s communications
  function. Ensure team and project budgets and forecasts are up to date, that projects are
  delivered on time and that expenditure is managed effectively.
• Manage resourcing and coordinate the availability of appropriate staff skills and
  capacity, procuring services from external agencies, suppliers and consultants where
  required.
• Coordinate and ensure effective regular reporting to sponsors and trustees, working
  collaboratively with colleagues to meet financial, quality and timeframe expectations.
  Leadership
• Manage and develop communications team staff and contractors. Maintain a team and
  organisational culture that attracts and retains talent. Ensure clear guidelines, resources,
  and procedures for team members to carry out their work. Identify and address training
  needs and skills gaps as required.
• Support SMT in the development and implementation of business planning,
  organisational strategy and a clear narrative for Centre for London.
• Support SMT in strategic leadership; identifying and leading change or improvement
  across the organisation while supporting others to become leaders
• Confidently brief and work with the Trustee Board.

General Responsibilities and Duties:

• Undertake the duties of the job description in accordance with the operational policies
  of Centre for London, including but not limited to the diversity policy and code of
  conduct.
• Maintain good working relations with Trustees, staff, volunteers and other stakeholders.
• Present the organisation in an appropriate and professional manner to its stakeholders.
• Contribute to the development and growth of the organisation through working in
  accordance with its wider objectives, corporate philosophy and values.
• Assist at Centre for London events outside of normal working hours as necessary.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties as may be required.

Experience and skills

Person Specification:

Applicants be passionate about London and must show commitment to the mission of Centre
for London; to develop new develop new solutions to London’s critical challenges and advocate
for a fair and prosperous global city.

Experience:

• Significant experience of working in a media/PR environment with an existing network
  of press and PR contacts (essential)
• Experience of public affairs with an understanding of London issues and policymaking
  (desired)
• Experience of developing and implementing strategies across multiple communications
  channels, including social media, digital, branding and media (essential)
• Experience of managing the communications function of an organisation (essential)
• Experience of personnel management and supervision (essential)
• Experience of managing corporate relationships, ideally using a CRM (desired)
• Outstanding written and oral communications skills (essential)
• Confident and proficient in MS Office applications including Word, Excel and
  PowerPoint (essential)

Skills/Competencies

• Leadership. Confident suggesting and developing new creative ideas and approaches,
  being able to constructively challenge others’ thinking.
• Excellent attention to detail whilst able to maintain a strategic perspective.
• Professional and confident communication skills (written and verbal). Able to build
  productive relationships with senior stakeholders.
• Highly organised. Able to create clear project plans, prioritise multiple tasks, manage
  pressures and delegate.
• Strong IT proficiency, including MS Office, Salesforce, MailChimp and WordPress
  CMS

Other useful information

Please follow this link below to complete the application information

• Your application should show how your experience and achievements to date would make you a suitable candidate for this role (no more than three pages total).
• Your application should be saved as a single PDF with your application ID as the title. Please check that your name isn’t included on your CV or cover letter.
• Email your CV and cover letter to [email protected] the subject line “Head of Communications”.