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- Tasks: Lead strategic communications and engagement campaigns for the National Lottery Community Fund in Wales.
- Company: Join the National Lottery Community Fund, dedicated to supporting communities across the UK.
- Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid work model with flexible location options and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Shape impactful communications while making a difference in communities and working with diverse stakeholders.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in strategic communications, team leadership, and public affairs in devolved governments required.
- Other info: Welsh speakers are essential; applications from diverse backgrounds are highly encouraged.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
The National Lottery Community Fund is seeking a Strategic Communication Lead, Wales to drive forward our ambitious communications transformation. This newly created role sits at the heart of our restructured communications function, designed to deliver our strategy "It Starts with Community" and shift our focus to demonstrating the powerful impact communities have across the UK. It is essential that you are a Welsh-speaker.
As we build a new, integrated approach to communications across the UK, this position offers an exceptional opportunity to shape how we tell our story. Playing a strategic leadership role, you will be the vital bridge between our grant makers and communicators, working in a matrix manner with the senior leadership team in your country and our wider communications team to solve problems and generate successful communications and engagement campaigns.
You will provide strategic leadership on communications and external affairs, working across two areas of responsibility: a specific country within the UK and one of our four missions. Your ability to create powerful alignment between these areas will be essential to success.
Your deep understanding of the devolved context and stakeholder landscape will help build the Fund's influence with regional decision-makers and opinion formers while advancing UK-wide objectives. You will also be an ambassador for the Fund's work, maintaining a strong network in your country.
We are looking for an experienced communications strategist with extensive knowledge of the local political, media and stakeholder landscape. You should bring a sophisticated understanding of how communications can drive organizational objectives and a proven track record of leading integrated campaigns. Your background might include senior communications roles in government, the VCSE sector, or complex organizations operating across devolved administrations, where you've demonstrated ability to navigate diverse stakeholder environments and translate strategic goals into impactful communications activity.
Key responsibilities- Lead strategic communications for one Funding portfolio and one mission area, ensuring integration with business planning
- Build and lead matrix teams to deliver integrated communications campaigns
- Develop and implement communications plans that drive engagement with key stakeholders
- Provide senior counsel on reputation management and crisis response
- Act as senior regional point of contact for communications and external affairs
- Ensure consistent messaging across all customer journey touchpoints
- Represent the Fund with key external stakeholders and opinion formers
Location: You will be expected to be based in the country you will be supporting. We have a hybrid approach to working with work pattern and exact location agreed with the successful candidate. Our offices are in Belfast, Birmingham, Cardiff, Exeter, Leeds, London, Manchester, Newcastle and Newtown.
Interview date: Friday 11th July
On application, please align your supporting statement to the criteria below
Essential criteria- Extensive experience in developing and delivering strategic communications and engagement in support of organisational priorities, including planning and executing media, marketing and external affairs
- Strong influencing skills with both internal colleagues and external partners
- Significant experience in building and leading high-performing teams in a matrix-management setting
- Demonstrable understanding of public affairs in devolved governments
- Experience providing strategic communications counsel to senior leaders including at times of reputational risk
- Experience in leading crisis communications
- Excellent project management skills in a complex organisation with competing deadlines
- Demonstrable experience in using data and insight to inform and deliver communications campaigns.
- Experience working across multiple regions or countries
- Track record of developing innovative communications approaches
- Experience in one or more of our mission areas
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Communities in the UK come in all shapes and sizes. National Lottery funding is for everyone – therefore, we are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and we work hard to ensure our funding reaches where it is needed. We also believe our people should represent the communities, organisations and individuals we work with. That’s why The National Lottery Community Fund is committed to being an inclusive employer and a great place to work. We recognise and celebrate the fact that our people come from diverse backgrounds. We positively welcome applications from people from ethnic minority backgrounds, people with disabilities or longstanding health conditions, people who are LGBTQ+, and people from different socio-economic and educational backgrounds, as well as people of all ages. As a Disability Confident Employer, we take a proactive approach in making reasonable adjustments, if needed, throughout the recruitment process and during employment.
Strategic Communications Lead, Wales employer: The National Lottery Community Fund
Contact Detail:
The National Lottery Community Fund Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic Communications Lead, Wales
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the National Lottery Community Fund's mission and values. Understanding their focus on community impact will help you align your discussions and demonstrate how your experience can contribute to their goals.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the Welsh communications landscape. Attend local events or engage with relevant online communities to build connections that could provide insights into the role and the organisation.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in leading integrated campaigns, especially in a matrix-management setting. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully navigated complex stakeholder environments.
✨Tip Number 4
Brush up on your Welsh language skills if needed. As a Welsh-speaker, being able to communicate effectively in both English and Welsh will be a significant advantage in this role.
We think you need these skills to ace Strategic Communications Lead, Wales
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before you start writing, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Strategic Communications Lead position. Tailor your application to highlight how your experience aligns with their needs.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your supporting statement, focus on your extensive experience in strategic communications and engagement. Provide specific examples of campaigns you've led and how they supported organisational priorities.
Showcase Your Skills: Emphasise your influencing skills and experience in building high-performing teams. Mention any relevant experience in public affairs within devolved governments, as this is crucial for the role.
Demonstrate Cultural Fit: The National Lottery Community Fund values equity, diversity, and inclusion. Make sure to reflect these values in your application by discussing how your background and experiences contribute to a diverse workplace.
How to prepare for a job interview at The National Lottery Community Fund
✨Showcase Your Strategic Vision
Prepare to discuss your vision for strategic communications in the context of the National Lottery Community Fund. Highlight how you can align communications with organisational priorities and demonstrate your understanding of the devolved context in Wales.
✨Demonstrate Influencing Skills
Be ready to provide examples of how you've successfully influenced both internal colleagues and external partners. This role requires strong influencing skills, so think of specific situations where your communication made a significant impact.
✨Highlight Team Leadership Experience
Discuss your experience in building and leading high-performing teams, especially in a matrix-management setting. Share examples of how you've fostered collaboration and delivered integrated campaigns across different teams.
✨Prepare for Crisis Communication Scenarios
Given the importance of reputation management, prepare to talk about your experience in crisis communications. Think of specific instances where you provided strategic counsel during challenging times and how you managed stakeholder expectations.
