DEPARTMENT: Campaigns and Communications
REPORTS TO: Director of Campaigns and Communications
RESPONSIBLE FOR: Team of around 10 full-time staff covering news media and PR, including celebrity support
GRADE: H
LOCATION: Farringdon
JOB PURPOSE: To lead and drive forward Save the Children UK’s media work with passion, tenacity, imagination and good judgement, to help achieve dramatic change for children.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. To be accountable for Save the Children’s media strategy and for the consistent delivery of high-profile, high-impact media activity, and work with the Director of Campaigns & Communications and others to build Save the Children as a powerful communicator.
2. To manage the Media Unit, providing clear strategic direction, support, space, motivation and opportunities for staff development and to contribute directly to the operational work of the team.
3. To develop, monitor and deliver a team strategy, achievable objectives, manageable workplan and budget and ensure the work of the team is evaluated.
4. To work closely with teams throughout the department and with Policy, International Operations and Marketing to develop and implement media and communications strategies.
5. To ensure effective communications, and joint working where appropriate, with the International Save the Children Alliance.
6. To contribute actively to supporting Save the Children UK’s corporate objectives, including the priority issues, brand building, generation of funds and putting children at the heart of the team’s work.
7. To offer leadership and advice on appropriate media strategies, techniques and tone, to the Chief Executive, Director of Campaigns & Communications, other Directors, and colleagues across the organisation.
8. To represent Save the Children UK externally at a senior level, actively networking and working with other senior staff to build and strengthen priority relationships, and representing Save the Children in the media where appropriate.
9. To play an active role in anticipating, preparing for and implementing responses to crisis situations, or other situations where there is risk of damage to Save the Children’s reputation, or the wellbeing of staff or our programme.
10. To develop a strategic overview of the external media environment (UK and international) and an understanding of how best to target Save the Children UK’s efforts.
11. To ensure the quality of work produced by team members, that it adheres to Save the Children UK’s policies and positions, that the work of the team contributes effectively to that of other goal teams and is effectively evaluated.
12. To ensure Save the Children UK’s work on issues of difference is integrated through the work of the team and ensure adherence to organisational policies on Equal Opportunities.
13. To perform such other Responsibilities as may be required from time to time in order to ensure the smooth running of the team, the senior management team, cross departmental teams, the department and Save the Children UK and to deputise for the Departmental Director if required.
PERSON SPECIFICATION:
Essential
- Substantial experience as a journalist, media officer or manager of a media function.
- A track record of success in media work, with proven ability to generate coverage across a range of broadcast and print media, including mass market and consumer media, on a range of issues.
- Significant and demonstrable experience of effective team management.
- A high level of strategic thinking and planning skills, including ability to set priorities, manageable workplans and evaluate progress.
- Strong communications skills (both written and verbal) at a level appropriate for high level external representation and ability to tailor communications to different audiences
- Experience of developing, allocating, and monitoring budgets.
- Ability to demonstrate a corporate approach including record of contribution to cross organisational initiatives and proven ability to negotiate support for projects from across an organisation or network.
- A good understanding of the external environment in which this area of work operates
- Commitment to SC UK’s mission, values and approach.
- Administratively self servicing and IT literate.
DESIRABLE
- Understanding or experience of on-line media and multimedia.
- Understanding or experience of campaigning and advocacy.
- Understanding of or experience of field work.
- Brand awareness and experience of profile raising work.
- Experience of working with volunteers or supporters.
BUDGET RESPONSIBILITIES: Budget holder
CHILD PROTECTION
This post is classified as a level 2 post by SC UK for the purposes of child protection. Candidates applying for this post will be subject to SC UK’s child protection recruitment procedures and checks.