At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop a dynamic team focused on community engagement and placemaking.
- Company: Join Cratus, a forward-thinking company dedicated to building strong communities.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, 28 days leave, flexible working, and private medical insurance.
- Other info: Work in a vibrant environment with great coffee, snacks, and regular team socials.
- Why this job: Shape the future of communities while making a real impact in people's lives.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in community development and leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
About us
At Cratus, we believe communities are built through relationships and strengthened through conversations. 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 crises. 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.
As demand for this work continues to grow, we are looking for an experienced leader to shape the next phase of the Communities team.
The role
The Communities and Placemaking Director/Associate Director will play a fundamental role in the development of the Communities team, from helping to shape the vision and strategy for the next five years. You will be an expert in community development and engagement, responsible for building and leading a team that can deliver on this vision, while also growing a strong and sustainable client base. The role suits someone creative, with drive and ambition. You will be responsible for 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 that can capture this market
- Defining a practical pathway to delivering the strategy and vision, including consideration of resourcing, marketing and capability needs
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
- Supporting the development of 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
- Delivering 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: Competitive
- 28 days annual leave + bank holidays + birthday leave + one volunteering day
- Central London office with good coffee, free snacks and on-site gym with classes
- Regular team socials and company-wide events
- Flexible and hybrid working
- Private medical insurance upon becoming permanent
Director / Associate Director (Communities and Placemaking) in London employer: Cratus Communications
At Cratus, we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment where community engagement is at the heart of what we do. Our Central London office offers a vibrant culture with regular team socials, flexible working arrangements, and opportunities for professional growth, making it an ideal place for passionate individuals to thrive in their careers while making a meaningful impact on communities. With competitive benefits including generous leave policies and private medical insurance, we are committed to supporting our employees both personally and professionally.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director / Associate Director (Communities and Placemaking) in 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 about reaching out to folks on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can’t.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion for communities and placemaking! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, share your ideas and experiences related to community engagement. Let them see your drive and creativity – it’s what they’re looking for!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their vision and values, and think about how you can contribute to their goals. Tailor your responses to show you’re the perfect fit for their team.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. Let’s build those communities together!
We think you need these skills to ace Director / Associate Director (Communities and Placemaking) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Communities:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for community development shine through. We want to see how you connect with the idea of building relationships and creating places where people love to live.
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in community engagement and placemaking. We’re looking for someone who can lead a team and deliver on our vision, so be specific about your past roles and achievements that align with this.
Be Creative and Strategic:This role requires a creative mindset and strategic thinking. In your application, share examples of how you've developed and implemented successful strategies in previous positions. Show us how you can think outside the box!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our team. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cratus Communications
✨Know Your Community Engagement Strategies
Make sure you’re well-versed in various community engagement strategies and how they can be applied in real-world scenarios. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your past experiences where you successfully built relationships and trust within communities.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a potential Director or Associate Director, it’s crucial to demonstrate your leadership capabilities. Prepare to share instances where you’ve led teams, mentored staff, or shaped a team culture. Highlight how you can inspire others to achieve a shared vision.
✨Understand the Market Landscape
Familiarise yourself with current trends in community development and placemaking. Research which organisations are funding projects and be prepared to discuss how you would identify and seize future opportunities for growth in this area.
✨Prepare for Business Development Discussions
Since business development is a key part of the role, think about how you would approach creating a marketing strategy for the Communities team. Be ready to discuss your ideas on building Cratus’ reputation and how you would develop strong political and commercial relationships.
