CharityComms

So, what do you actually do?
I'm responsible for identifying the organisation's internal and external communication needs. I deliver integrated communication solutions. So, I produce the organisation's communication strategy and plans, manage stakeholder research, and create multi-channel marketing. I also deal with brand management, event management, employee engagement and general evaluation.

How did you get into it?
I have worked in communications for over 10 years. I have experience in commercial PR, covering a range of sectors, everything from healthcare to lifestyle, finance to crisis management. I’ve also done public sector PR, working for central Government, including the Department for Education and Employment (as it was).

I was seconded to the European Commission and the European Parliament for a few years, which widened my experience beyond a national context. But I decided to expand my skills beyond PR and headed the EU Communications Team at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. That covered every aspect of communication including branding, media, web, marketing, events, advertising, speechwriting and parliamentary affairs.

Then, after seven years in central Government, I decided to widen my experience outside the sector and joined the Wellcome Trust, which primarily provides funding for medical research. The charity sector is providing a steep learning curve and plenty of new communication challenges.

What skills and experience do you need to do your job?
The top two would be resilience and the ability to multi-task. In any given day my focus needs switch between most aspects of the organisation's remit including: promoting biomedical research schemes; engaging artists; co-coordinating communications to highlight our international funding work; marketing our career support grants; reaching commercial audiences; understanding the breadth of stakeholder opinion; staff recruitment and development and building internal support.

An understanding of the different communication methods and channels is essential. Judgment is also crucial when it comes to understanding potential issues.

What’s been your biggest challenge?
Getting communications on the management agenda so that it is seen to be central rather than supplementary to achieving our corporate objectives is a big challenge.
What are the best things about your job?
Results. There's nothing like seeing a good idea become reality and communications, when done well, can really impact on the organisation’s goals.

And the worst?
When some people still think communications is packaging rather than a key ingredient for success, despite your best efforts.

Where do you see your career heading in the future?
I like to continuously learn and to develop my communications expertise - so will pursue the opportunities that allow me to do this best.