Head Of Communications

JOB TITLE: COBSEO HEAD OF COMMUNICATIONS

BACKGROUND:

Cobseo The Confederation of Service Charities is a membership organisation representing, promoting and furthering the interests of the Armed Forces Community, maximizing the charitable support to this Community through encouraging and facilitating co-operation and collaboration of organisations working in the Service Charity sector. A Head of Communications is required to support the small Cobseo Executive Team in London. The post is full time.

REPORTING TO: DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

PURPOSE OF ROLE:

To manage Cobseo's internal and external communications activities, including print, broadcast and social media functions. To pro-actively promote the Confederation's purpose, values and activities internally to members, and externally to Government, including Devolved Administrations and Local Government; the Armed Forces Community, and the general public, by using an appropriate range of media, communications and campaigning tools.

JOB DESCRIPTION

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

_MEDIA AND PR ACTIVITY:_

- Be responsible for all Cobseo's proactive and reactive media work - researching, writing and distributing press releases to national, regional, local and trade media, organising press launches and photo-calls where appropriate, and responding to all media enquiries (and referring on to other colleagues as appropriate). In conjunction with other Members.
- Develop a strong communication PR plan and capability in accordance with the communications strategy agreed by the Board, develop a strong communications and PR plan and capability that promotes and supports the Confederation and its members, therefore increasing the coherence of all media activity across the sector thereby increasing brand recognition and building reputation.
- Be Cobseo's press officer, agreeing appropriate responses to breaking news and co-ordinating the required response of the Chairman or Director of Operations to media enquiries in a timely manner.
- Arrange media interviews with the Chairman and executive, providing them with full pre-interview briefings and support during interviews.
- Maintain a bank of all press cuttings, news releases, comments and articles, ensuring it is updated on a regular basis, is effectively referenced and easy to search.
- Maintain and develop media contact mailing lists as appropriate.
- Build awareness and acceptance of the Confederation's brand
- Oversee the management and output of any external communications and PR agencies/consultants used in the promotion of the Confederation.

_ONLINE:_

- _ _Manage and update the Cobseo website, publishing relevant Armed Forces Community stories that strengthen sector integration, and post latest information on member's campaigns and events in order to develop an online central hub for the members of the Confederation.
- Manage and keep updated the Media/Press Release pages of the Cobseo website (inc. keeping staff contacts up-to-date, and posting new, and removing old, press releases).
- As required, manage and update Cobseo's Social Media, seeking to feed relevant information and news stories through to members, supporters and other target audiences reached by social media.
- Work with the Head of Membership in managing and updating website content in line with communications and PR strategy and plan.
- Monitor existing Cobseo social media accounts whilst exploring and developing potential new social media activity and capability such as social networking websites.
- Assist with internal communications, weekly email, bulletins and mailings as required.

_INFLUENCING:_

- Monitor and keep the Cobseo Team informed on how marketing and communications strategies are attracting, cultivating and retaining members against agreed targets.
- Be responsible for management of the communications budget.
- At least 5 years' experience of working in a senior campaigning, PR or communications function or role
- Clear evidence of having collaborated with multiple partners and organisations in bringing together a sector-based or issue-based campaign designed to change attitudes, regulation, legislation or behaviour
- Able to demonstrate clearly, strong experience of having worked across multiple PR, communication or campaigning projects at any one time on a regular basis
- Direct experience of writing press releases and handling of media enquiries
- Has directly managed or coordinated the full promotion, marketing and communications requirements and activities of a high-profile campaign
- Strong experience of promoting and marketing events and campaigns
- Has successfully used website/CRM and social media platforms and communications for campaigning or communications purposes
- Lead the development of a collaborative influencing ethos and build the knowledge, skills and motivation of smaller members of the Confederation in order for them to influence locally, regionally and nationally.
- Work with other Comms Teams of Member organisations to develop a range of hard-hitting, effective campaigns to deliver political, policy, attitudinal and commercial changes that improve the general public's awareness of the Service charity sector.
- Contribute to campaigns run by the wider Service community, with the aim of influencing public attitudes, behaviour and generosity.
- _GENERAL_
- Monitor and keep the Chairman, Executive Committee and Cobseo Team regularly informed as to what Cobseo's activities are achieving (e.g. by media coverage, feedback from members, discussions with Government etc.) and how these messages are being received.
- Represent Cobseo and act as an ambassador at events where required.
- Develop close working relationships with peers and stakeholders from within the Confederation, taking every opportunity to develop partnership working.
- Maintain awareness of and ensure compliance with corporate policies including health and safety and data protection.
- Work constructively within the Cobseo Team and across other Service charity teams, respecting and supporting colleagues.
- Be responsible for personal education and professional development, within budget.
- Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the post.

COBSEO HEAD OF COMMUNICATIONS

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

EXPERIENCE

_DESIRABLE:_

- CIPR diploma/certificate
- Use of Word Press for publishing and managing website content
- Previous work for a campaigning/policy organisation.
- Budgetary responsibility

_SKILLS AND APTITUDE:_

- _ _A strong presenter
- Experience of working with the military or government departments
- A flare for working in partnership with others, and bringing together disparate elements in support of a single aim
- Technically proficient in using all campaigning/PR tools and channels
- Knowledge of most up-to-date campaigning methods
- Strong copy-writing and editorial skills
- Technically competent in publishing content online and using a content management system to do so - including text, videos, images, documents etc.
- Strong administrative skills: generally, and in terms of IT literacy in Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.
- Ability to demonstrate strategic and creative thinking in developing new campaigning and profile raising ideas and initiatives

_GENERAL_

- Accuracy and attention to detail; analytical
- Empathy with the Armed Forces Community and Service ethos.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to communicate with people at all levels (internally and externally), adapting style of communication appropriate to the person/team/organisation they are dealing with
- A self-starter and motivator. Clear managerial direction will be given but it will be up to the post holder to plan their working week, identify their project timelines and stay focused on their on-going goals
- A strong team-work mentality.
- Politically astute.