At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and deliver high-quality communications across various channels for a respected membership organisation.
- Company: Join LABC, a key player in local authority building control across England and Wales.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous annual leave, and an 8% pension contribution.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for professional development and career growth.
- Why this job: Shape impactful communications and engage with diverse stakeholders in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in communications, strong writing skills, and team management abilities.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 42000 £ per year.
LABC is the membership organisation for local authority building control teams across England and Wales. We're looking for an experienced Communications Manager to lead our communications activity, strengthen our reputation and help demonstrate the value and impact of local authority building control to members, stakeholders and the wider sector. This is an exciting opportunity for you to shape communications for a respected national membership organisation.
Location: Hybrid - with attendance at our London and Stockport offices as required, plus travel to meetings and events across England and Wales
Salary: £38-£42k per annum, dependent on skills, location and experience
Pension: 8% employer contribution after three months of service
Contract: Fixed term, 12 months
Hours: Full time, 35 hours per week
Annual Leave: 27 days per annum
Are you an experienced and proactive Communications Manager able to lead and deliver high-quality communications activity that supports our organisational priorities, strengthens our reputation and increases engagement with members and stakeholders. This is a varied and hands-on role, responsible for planning and delivering communications across our website, newsletters, email, social media, media relations, events and stakeholder channels. You will help ensure that LABC's messages are clear, consistent, timely and accessible, and that complex technical or policy information is communicated in a way that is engaging and easy to understand.
Working closely with colleagues across LABC, you will identify stories, promote achievements, support campaigns and events, manage communications risks and use data and insight to improve the impact of our communications. You will also line manage and support a small team of Coordinators, helping to ensure high-quality delivery across multiple priorities.
About the role
As Communications Manager, you will develop and manage communications plans, oversee day-to-day communications activity, write and approve content, manage digital and print channels, support events and campaigns, and build strong relationships with members, partners, suppliers, media contacts and stakeholders.
About you
You will be an excellent communicator with strong writing, editing and proofreading skills, experience of delivering communications plans and campaigns, and confidence managing content across digital and traditional channels. You will be able to translate complex information into clear and accessible messages, manage competing priorities and work collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation. We are particularly interested in hearing from candidates with experience of communications in a membership body, public sector organisation, local government, construction, built environment or regulatory setting, although this is not essential.
Key responsibilities include:
- Developing and delivering communications plans that support LABC's strategic priorities and member engagement objectives
- Managing communications across website, email, newsletters, social media, media relations, events and stakeholder channels
- Writing, editing and approving clear, accurate and engaging content for a range of audiences
- Managing digital content, brand standards, tone of voice and communications templates
- Building positive relationships with members, partners, suppliers, media contacts and colleagues
- Monitoring communications performance and using insight to recommend improvements
- Managing communications risks and supporting crisis or sensitive communications when required
- Lead, develop and motivate a small team of Coordinators, setting priorities, supporting professional development and ensuring the successful delivery of the communications strategy and day-to-day activities
Essential skills and experience:
- Proven experience of planning, managing and delivering communications activity across multiple channels
- Excellent writing, editing and proofreading skills, with the ability to produce clear, accurate and engaging content for different audiences
- Experience of translating complex information into accessible messages
- Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines and maintain high standards of delivery
- Experience of line managing, supporting or coordinating team members, including setting priorities, providing guidance and helping others deliver high-quality work
- Ability to build effective working relationships with internal colleagues, members, partners, suppliers, media contacts and other stakeholders
- Confidence using communications data, feedback and insight to evaluate performance and recommend improvements
- Good judgement and attention to detail when managing brand standards, tone of voice, communications risks and sensitive issues
LABC offer a collaborative and supportive team culture.
Communications Manager employer: Schools Choice
Schools’ Choice is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that values teamwork and dedication. Located at the North Wales Police HQ Canteen in Colwyn Bay, employees benefit from a friendly environment and the opportunity to contribute to the community through quality food service. With flexible part-time hours and a focus on employee growth, this role is perfect for those looking to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a balanced work-life schedule.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Communications Manager
✨Get Involved in PR Events
Dive into local PR meetups and workshops. Events like these are perfect for getting your face out there, chatting with industry pros, and spotting potential job openings at companies like Schools Choice. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to learn about trends and make lasting connections.
✨Showcase Your PR Skills
Start building your personal brand as a PR ace. Use platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn to share your thoughts on current events or PR campaigns you admire. Tagging companies you want to work for, like Schools Choice, can catch their eye—especially if your insights resonate!
✨Leverage Your Network
Reach out to friends, family, or connections in the PR field. Even a casual chat can lead to opportunities. If you've got mutual contacts, ask for introductions when applying. Personal recommendations can give your application a nice little boost!
✨Tailor Your Approach
When applying for a full-time PR role, make sure to research Schools Choice inside and out. Understanding their campaigns, values, and style allows us to directly align our application and impress during interviews. Don't hesitate to apply through our website—going direct can make a real difference!
We think you need these skills to ace Communications Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Get Your Story Straight:In public relations, storytelling is everything! Make sure your CV highlights your experience in crafting compelling narratives and managing media relations. Share specific examples of campaigns you've worked on, and don’t forget to include any press coverage you've generated—it's impressive proof of your skills!
Show Off Your Communication Skills:Since PR is all about communication, we want to see your best writing samples. Include pieces like press releases, blog posts, or social media content that you've created. This gives us a taste of your voice and your ability to convey messages clearly and effectively, which is crucial for a role in this field.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter should be more than just a recap of your CV; it’s your chance to shine! Emphasise why PR excites you and how your background fits with the mission of Schools Choice. Show us that you’ve done your homework and speak to why you’re passionate about the work we do.
Connect the Dots:When you’re writing your application, think about how your past experiences link to the responsibilities of the role. Mention any internships, volunteer work, or projects that involved public speaking, event planning, or strategic communication. This will help us see how you can seamlessly bring your skills into a full-time position at Schools Choice.
How to prepare for a job interview at Schools Choice
✨Master the Art of Storytelling
In public relations, storytelling is key. We should prepare compelling narratives about past campaigns or projects we’ve worked on. Think about how we can illustrate our impact and creativity in those stories—be ready to discuss specific examples that showcase our skills in managing media relationships and crafting messages.
✨Know Your PR Tools Inside Out
Familiarity with PR tools like Cision or Meltwater is crucial. We need to be able to discuss how we’ve used these tools in past roles or projects. If we've worked on media lists, press releases, or analytics reports, let’s have those experiences ready to share along with metrics we’ve achieved to back up our claims.
✨Stay Current with Industry Trends
We’ve got to stay sharp on the latest trends and events impacting the public relations field. Having a few insights ready about recent campaigns or shifts in media landscapes can show that we’re engaged and knowledgeable. This will also help us make connections between our experiences and the current state of the industry.
✨Showcase Our Versatility
As full-time PR professionals, we need to demonstrate our adaptability. Be ready to talk about how we've handled challenging situations, managed crises, or adapted strategies on the fly. Employers will appreciate our ability to pivot and find solutions under pressure, so let’s have those scenarios at our fingertips to discuss.
