Chief Communications Officer

Chief Communications Officer

Apply before 11:55 pm on Monday 28th October

Location – Manchester

Salary – £49,839 – £55,531 + a £6000 communications allowance and other benefits (including a Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%)

Contract type – 1-year fixed term contract

About the job:

Our client leads the Government’s work on the future governance of football. A Bill will be introduced to establish an Independent Football Regulator to ensure greater sustainability in the game and strengthen protections for fans.

A dedicated team within our client is responsible for setting up the Independent Football Regulator. It is ensuring the Regulator has the right skills, governance and corporate functions so it can start work as soon as possible after the Bill receives Royal Assent.

These roles are being recruited on a loan or fixed term basis for 12 months with the possibility to extend. This role will be based on an interim basis. Subject to the overall progress of the programme, the intention for this role is to transfer to the Football Regulator once fully established.

Please note that this role will be based in Greater Manchester, which is where the Regulator will be based – an exact location has yet to be determined.

Job description:

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced, talented and motivated Communicator to join a growing organisation and shape its communications strategy. You will have a strong background in delivering press and media strategies in a news team or press office role. You will have sound judgement and the ability to lead.

Responsibilities include:

• Developing and implementing the Independent Football Regulator s media strategy to communicate the aims and activities of the organisation.
• Managing the IFR s press office function and a small press team to deliver an accurate, high-quality media relations service.
• Providing expert communications advice to senior colleagues.
• Providing editorial control across the team, ensuring appropriate and consistent content and messaging.
• Utilising a range of media channels to deliver strategic and creative communications plans that are fully evaluated to ensure they reach their audiences.
• Leading the development and delivery of the internal communications strategy for the IFR.
• Participating in the out of hours duty rota.

Person specification

Essential Requirements:

• A proven track record of delivering creative and targeted media strategies that use a range of different channels.
• A proven track record of delivering a timely and accurate service to the media and leading responses to reactive news enquiries.
• Experience of advising senior people on all aspects of communications and media handling.
• Experience in effective line and/or team management.
• Evidence of driving creativity and innovation and supporting new communications approaches.
• Evidence of using evaluation to inform their media work.

Desirable Skills:

• Experience of working in sports administration or financial regulation.
• Proven experience of delivering against organisational priorities and managing change.

Benefits:

Alongside your salary of £49,839, our client contributes £14,438 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

They value their staff and offer a wide range of benefits to everyone who works here. They are committed to developing talent and supporting colleagues to have great careers in their department. To support with that, some of the benefits they offer include:

• Flexible working arrangements and hybrid working – their staff work on a flexible basis with time spent in offices, and time spent working from home
• 26.5 days annual leave on entry, increasing to 31.5 days after 5 years service
• A Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 28.97%
• Access to the Edenred employee benefits system which offers discounts to popular retailers and access to various useful resources such as financial and savings advice
• 3 days of paid volunteering leave
• Up to 9 months maternity leave on full pay + generous paternity and adoption leave
• Staff reward and recognition bonuses that operate throughout the year
• Occupational sick pay
• Access to the Employee Assistance Programme which offers staff 24/7 confidential support and resources such as counselling, debt guidance and management advice
• Active and engaged staff networks to join including the LGBT+, Ethnic Diversity, Mental Health and Wellbeing, and Gender Equality Networks
• Exceptional learning and development opportunities that you can explore alongside your day-to-day work
• Season ticket loan, cycle to work scheme and much more!