Interim Communications Director

The Director of Communications at this newly established organisation has overall responsibility for developing the communications strategy and shaping the function within a newly created, commercial organisation. The role remit will cover all communications disciplines, including corporate communications, media relations, marketing/branding, public affairs and internal communications. This newly created role will join the organisation at a critical time of change and transition. It is also a role which operates within a sensitive media and political environment.

Externally, there are a number of challenges and tasks which are likely to fall on the desk of the Interim Director of Communications and Stakeholder Engagement. These include but are not limited to:

• Ensuring the organisation's voice is heard in debates about the future of its services;
• Building effective working relationships with politicians at local and national levels;
• Managing the profile of the brand in the media;
• Ensuring the organisation's unique operating model is understood by media, stakeholders, partners and suppliers;
• Developing a crisis communications plan for service areas.

There are major internal challenges too. The introduction of the operating model will require major change to existing practices which will need to be managed carefully and communicated effectively. Therefore, familiarity with organisational and change communications is critical. Ensuring that the communications function can effectively drive the agenda and respond to emerging issues is a critical aspect of this role.

With a dual reporting line to the CEO and Communications Director of one of the key sharedholding businesses, the role will oversee a function of approximately 10 communications professionals.

Key responsibilities include:

• Define the organisation's strategic plan for all audiences including employees, customers, political stakeholders, the public, the media and third parties.
• Management of all key communications channels including press office, social media, website, intranet, noticeboards, advertising, events, brand and corporate collateral & campaigns.
• Review existing communications channels and look to introduce new ways of engaging key audience groups.
• Craft and position corporate messaging, driving visibility for the business direction, performance, culture/way of working and any change initiatives.
• Support the business in developing relationships with key stakeholders.
• Budget management.
• Own relationships with key internal and third party stakeholders.
• London-based with national travel when necessary.

Media:

• Manage the organisation's reputation in the media and with the public and our employees.
• Oversee and lead all crisis communications.
• Oversee and approve all corporate media relations.
• Oversee the press office function as well as acting as approver for all issues management.
• Ensure that press office is manned appropriately at all times and is accessible 24/7.
• To oversee the corporate online communication strategy including corporate websites, intranets, as well as social media sites.

Communications:

• Design & oversee a corporate communications programme aligned to the corporate business objectives.
• Manage change communications activities.
• Develop and implement the brand & values strategy.
• Oversee all corporate collateral and sales materials including videos, literature and key presentation materials.
• Oversee all advertising, media buying and sponsorship for the company.
• Support all Executive Team communication requirements including speech writing, presentation, event attendance and Exec Employee Briefings.

This is a fantastic opportunity to utilise your change communications expertise within a politically sensitive and highly complex stakeholder environment. Starts ASAP for 12 months, paying approximately £100k pro rata.