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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead community development and engagement projects, shaping the future of vibrant places.
- Company: Join Cratus, a leader in community relationships and placemaking.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, flexible working, and private medical insurance.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on communities while leading a talented team.
- Qualifications: Experience in community development and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth and creativity in a supportive environment.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 85000 £ per year.
About us
At Cratus, we believe communities are built through relationships and strengthened through conversations. Much of our work sits at the intersection of planning, politics and community relationships.
Our Communities and Placemaking team works alongside developers, councils and delivery partners to build trust, reduce risk and create places where people genuinely want to live. We support projects throughout their lifecycle from early engagement and consultation, through construction and into occupation. We act as a trusted, visible presence for residents, councillors and site teams creating communities and dealing with issues.
We listen first, design engagement that reaches beyond the usual voices, and stay involved to create cohesive communities. Our work brings together community engagement, communications, placemaking and reputation management to create social value, strengthen reputations and support successful delivery.
Our work spans town centre regeneration, new settlements and garden villages, multi-phase urban extensions, estate regeneration and major community engagement programmes linked to infrastructure and complex development.
As demand for this work continues to grow, we are looking for an experienced leader to shape the next phase of Cratus Communities team: refining our offer, strengthening our market position and building a focused and sustainable Communities and Placemaking service.
The role
The Communities and Placemaking Director will play a fundamental role in the development of the Communities team, helping to shape its vision, strategy and growth over the next five years. You will be an expert in community development and engagement, responsible for leading and growing a team that can deliver high quality work, while also growing a strong and sustainable client base. The role will suit someone creative, with drive and ambition.
You will help refine and articulate the Cratus Communities offer, ensuring clients clearly understand the value of our work and enabling the team to secure the right opportunities and the right fee levels for our services. This will include developing and delivering a marketing and business development plan to support the growth of the team, including making smart decisions about where to focus time, energy and budget to maximise impact. You will work to build Cratus Group's reputation and ensure the business becomes an obvious choice for communities and placemaking work.
As a senior member of the business, you will lead by example: setting direction, shaping culture and ensuring high-quality delivery for clients and communities alike.
Core focus areas
- Joint development of strategy and vision for the next five years
- Client delivery
- Team development and leadership
- Business development
Development of strategy and vision
- Reviewing the market to understand which organisations are funding communities and placemaking projects now, and where future opportunities are likely to emerge
- Working collaboratively to develop a clear team strategy, vision, identity and culture for the Cratus Communities and Placemaking offer
- Defining a practical pathway to delivering the strategy and vision, including consideration of resourcing, marketing and capability needs
- Supporting the development of a business plan and market proposition that positions Cratus Communities clearly and competitively
Client delivery
- Managing senior client relationships and acting as a trusted adviser
- Quality assurance across all Communities projects within the region (and, where agreed, supporting work in other regions)
- Leading the direct delivery of large or strategically important projects
- Coordinating with other Cratus teams to deliver integrated solutions
- Shaping new services and approaches in response to client and market needs
Team development and leadership
- Leading, developing and mentoring a small, highly talented and motivated team
- Recruiting and retaining staff to meet business objectives, and actively managing resourcing to respond to business needs
- Capacity planning across the team
- Developing and presenting the Communities business plan
- Providing accurate and timely information to support business decision-making
- Supporting the wider management team in fostering positive staff morale and contributing to internal events and culture
Business development
- Building Cratus' reputation for community building and placemaking, including developing strong political and commercial relationships
- Identifying short-, medium- and long-term opportunities for the Communities team
- Leading business development activity to meet and exceed agreed objectives
- Developing and implementing a Communities marketing strategy, aligned with wider company activity
- Coordinating with Cratus-wide business development efforts
- Cross-selling other Cratus services and ensuring Communities services are cross-sold by colleagues
- Managing the Communities team business development budget
The offer
- Salary: £70,000 - £85,000 per annum
- 28 days annual leave + bank holidays + birthday leave + one volunteering day
- Central London office with good coffee, free snacks and free on-site gym with classes
- Regular team socials and company-wide events
- Flexible and hybrid working
- Private medical insurance upon becoming permanent
Communities and Placemaking Director in City of London employer: Cratus Communications
Contact Detail:
Cratus Communications Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Communities and Placemaking Director in City of London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy to reach out on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, let your enthusiasm for community development and placemaking shine through. Share your ideas and experiences that align with their vision.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company’s recent projects and challenges. Tailor your responses to show how your skills can help them achieve their goals. We want to see you as a solution provider!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our team at Cratus.
We think you need these skills to ace Communities and Placemaking Director in City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Know Your Stuff: Before you start writing, make sure you understand the role and what Cratus is all about. Dive into their mission and values, and think about how your experience aligns with their vision for community engagement and placemaking.
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic CV and cover letter! Tailor your application to highlight your relevant skills and experiences that match the job description. Show us how you can contribute to the Communities and Placemaking team specifically.
Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through in your application. We want to see the real you! Share your passion for community development and engagement, and don’t be afraid to include personal anecdotes that showcase your journey.
Apply Through Our Website: Make sure to apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cratus Communications
✨Know Your Community Engagement Strategies
Familiarise yourself with various community engagement strategies and be ready to discuss how you've successfully implemented them in the past. Cratus values innovative approaches, so think about specific examples where your efforts have led to meaningful community relationships.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a potential leader for the Communities team, it's crucial to demonstrate your leadership style. Prepare to share experiences where you've mentored or developed a team, highlighting how you foster a positive culture and drive high-quality delivery.
✨Understand the Market Landscape
Research current trends in community development and placemaking. Be prepared to discuss how you would position Cratus within this landscape and identify potential funding opportunities. Showing that you’re proactive about market insights will impress the interviewers.
✨Articulate Your Vision for the Role
Think about what you want to achieve in the role of Communities and Placemaking Director. Be ready to articulate your vision for the next five years, including how you plan to refine Cratus's offer and grow the client base. This shows ambition and strategic thinking.