Communications Manager - Researcher and Community PR in Preston

The EFL in the Community is looking for a passionate and organised Communications Manager - Researcher and Community PR to work within our EFL and EFLitC Communications and Marketing Team. The role will focus on delivering insight to the Communications Team to support the Community narrative.

JOB PURPOSE

This role will deliver insight for the EFL Communications Team that will support the community narrative within the EFL Communications storytelling strategy and the amplification mission within the EFL in the Community strategy. The role will sit within the EFL in the Community with significant collaboration and shared expertise with EFL colleagues.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• STORIES AND RELATIONS
  • Researching the network of Football Club charities to understand their culture and impact on their communities.
  • Collaborating across the EFL in the Community team - particularly in relation to gaining and delivering insight to Income Generation, Enabling Football Club Charity Success and Impactful Programmes.
  • Using knowledge and insight gained from researching and relationship building with the Club charities to inform projects, participation, storytelling and engagement across the network and organisation.
  • Develop reporting methodologies and processes to consistently understand and gain insight into Community projects.
• COMMUNICATIONS AND COLLABORATION
  • Work alongside the wider EFL communications team to deliver insight into the stories of the charities to support amplification of their work.
  • Support the PR team to sell in to media in key periods.
  • Support the editorial team with written content.
• FOOTBALL CLUB CHARITY SUPPORT AND OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Develop content for an online tool to support charity storytelling.
  • Support the Community team to deliver events based around charity teams stories.
  • Consistently drive engagement and growth for the Football Club charity network through the sourcing of stories that show the good that they do.
  • Promote both the EFL in the Community Core Values and the EFL Principles.
  • Ensure Safeguarding is at the forefront of everything you do to promote a safe environment for the organisation, Football Club charities and Clubs.
  • Contribute to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion as part of the culture of the organisation.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

KNOWLEDGE & UNDERSTANDING

• Ideally hold an undergraduate degree in a relevant research, communications or business field or equivalent experience or qualifications.
• Good knowledge of the football and/or the sport charitable landscape.
• A keen eye for a story.
• An understanding of the power of storytelling and how it drives participation and engagement.
• Understanding of Data Protection, specifically the UK GDPR.
• An understanding of Safeguarding, particularly in a sporting and charitable setting, would be advantageous.

TECHNICAL SKILLS

• Competent in researching human interest and news stories ideally within a sporting or charitable setting.
• Strong multi-platform and written skills.
• Great interpersonal and communication skills – able to adapt communication styles to suit both internal and external colleagues and stakeholders at all levels.
• Fantastic reporting and documentation skills.

ATTRIBUTES

• An excellent relationship builder – able to build and maintain relationships with a wide array of charities and club contacts and understand their needs.
• Organised and self-driven – able to work independently and as part of the wider team as and when required.
• A passion for sport and charity and a deep understanding of the value they bring to local communities.
• Lead by example by contributing to promoting the principles of the EFL:

• Everybody Working Together – We are one team supporting each other and collaborating on our shared goals.
• Fairness & Equality – Being consistent and inclusive for everyone - showing respect.
• Listening & Learning – Communicating with trust and honesty - growing as individuals and enabling others to do so too.

INTRODUCTION TO THE EFL and EFITC

The English Football League (EFL) is the highest attended football league, and largest single body of professional clubs in Europe. It is responsible for administering and regulating the Sky Bet EFL, Sky Bet Play-Offs, Carabao Cup and Vertu Trophy competitions, plus youth and reserve team football. A vital part of sporting life, both in the UK and across the globe, the EFL operates some of the world’s most competitive, popular and successful football competitions, acting as part of the fabric of life for millions of fans and families. EFL Clubs are truly embedded in the hearts of their 72 local communities, spanning the breadth and depth of England and Wales. Away from the match-day, Clubs and Club Community Organisations interact seven days a week, 365 days a year, making a positive contribution to the communities in which they serve.

EFL in the Community is the charitable arm of the EFL (English Football League). EFL in the Community (formerly the EFL Trust) was established in 2008 to support the ground-breaking work of EFL Football Club charities. This network of charities across England and Wales use the power of the Club badge to reach people who need help. They deliver a wide range of initiatives focused on improving health and wellbeing; raising aspirations and realising potential – building stronger, more cohesive EFL communities. Football Club charities engaged over 1.1 million participants last season and generated a total of £1.24 billion worth of social value across the full range of community initiatives and programmes.

OUR TEAM AT THE EFL

The EFL offers a unique opportunity to work with some of the biggest sporting competitions, clubs, commercial partnerships and media in the market. We look for the best people who approach their work with energy, excellence and commitment. Our employees are crucial to our success and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion are fundamental elements of building our team. Each of us has an array of qualifications, skills and life experiences. If you have any particular requirements in respect of the recruitment or interview process, please mention this in your application. The EFL reserves the right to close this vacancy early should we receive enough applications.