Head of Communications and Channel

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and oversee content and channel strategies for all audience targets, both positioning-based and in direct support of service delivery outcomes.
• Deputise for the Director of Communications and Campaigns and support them in delivering an overall communication strategy and associated frameworks.
• Ensure that all internal communications channels, delivery mechanisms and outputs are effective and appropriate to the audience, keeping staff informed and engaged.
• Oversee the Council's approach to social media, with channel, community and content audits informing a holistic multi-channel approach.
• Oversee the establishment of an ecosystem covering the Council's use of social from the individual accounts of our leadership to, where appropriate, accounts targeting specific demographic groups or coalescing around specific thematic areas.
• Develop guidance for growing, and growing the effectiveness of, our key social media platforms.
• Lead, develop and implement an approach to ensure media relations work offers a mixed and balanced approach from day-to-day news management to proactively influencing and shaping the media agenda through features, opinion and leadership profile pieces, using innovative content and a clear narrative about Waltham Forest Council that reflects the priorities, behaviours and understanding of local residents.
• Support and manage the Council's crisis management efforts through effective communication and use of different channels.

Qualifications

• Clear understanding of communication products, practice and the key drivers for strong and positive reputation management.
• Evidenced understanding of brand strategy and management.
• Very strong understanding of audience segmentation and best practice for various channels and platforms.
• Understanding of how to create, commission and optimise different content types and engagement techniques to maximise impact and response.
• Direct experience of developing and delivering effective strategies in at least three of the following disciplines: digital communications or marketing, campaigns, internal communications, media relations, behaviour change.
• Significant experience of developing and maintaining strategic narratives.
• Ability to work in an agile fashion to respond to internal or external crises.
• Experience of leading a multidisciplinary team, deploying coaching and performance.
• Experience of providing support and training to up skill and develop team.
• Experience of leading high-profile campaigns that have support the delivery of key strategic objectives.
• Experience/knowledge of different campaign approaches and methods.
• Experience in evaluating and reviewing campaigns.
• Experience of using insight and data to create communications plans.
• Experience of crisis management.
• Experience in planning and delivery of communications strategies and activities.
• Experience of providing direct advice and briefing to senior managers and/or elected members on media and reputation issues.
• Experience of working across a wide range of communications projects including media, campaigns, marketing and events.
• Experience of working in a highly pressured environment and delivering results to tight deadlines.
• Experience and ability to manage a team to deliver high quality campaigns and projects.
• Proven ability to find solutions to public relations problems and take necessary action.
• A strong understanding and knowledge of national, regional, local and specialist press relevant to local government and Waltham Forest's communities.
• An understanding of local government, the services provided by local councils, and the responsibilities a council has to its residents.
• Excellent writing skills with a clear, concise and lively prose style, and the ability to write for a range of different audiences.
• Excellent oral communication skills and the ability to maintain effective relationships at every level of an organisation.
• Ability to translate complex information into a clear and approachable format for a wide range of audiences.

Waltham Forest is a diverse borough where diversity is valued and is integral to both service delivery and employment of its staff. The Council is proud of its rich mix of communities and, as the largest employer in the area, works hard to respond to the changing needs of its population. We utilise statutory duties on race, gender and disability equality and best practice in respect of age, faith and sexual orientation to ensure equality of opportunity in the workplace. The Council is committed to meeting its four equality objectives: promoting equality of opportunity, opposing all forms of discrimination, intolerance and disadvantage, ensuring our workforce reflects the diverse communities of Waltham Forest at all levels, and providing fair, appropriate, accessible and excellent services to all. Respecting diversity is a core Council value. To support this and reduce the risk of bias in its recruitment activities, the council operates an anonymous shortlisting process, which hides personal information that could identify individuals until their application has been considered for shortlisting. The council also operates a scheme whereby, for jobs graded up to and including scale SO2, internal candidates are considered first. This includes those candidates who self‑identify as having a disability for the purposes of the Disability Confident scheme. For more information, please refer to our recruitment and selection policy.