Financial Communications Manager

The National Church Institutions comprises a wide variety of teams, professions and functions that support the mission and ministries of the Church of England in its vision to be a church, centred on Jesus Christ, for the whole nation - a church that is simpler, humbler, bolder.
We Include. You Belong.
Our Belonging and Inclusion Strategy aims for everyone in the National Church Institutions (NCIs) to feel that they belong, and are valued for who they are and what they contribute. Together, our people contribute in different ways towards our common purpose, whichever NCI they work in and whatever their background.
Living out our values in all that we do, we:

Strive for Excellence

Show Compassion

Respect others

Collaborate

Act with Integrity

We believe our commitment to belonging and inclusion fuels our progress and drives us forward. The NCIs are a safe, inclusive workplace for people of all backgrounds and walks of life. We welcome applications from people of all faiths and of no faith. We want to encourage applications from a diverse group of people who share our values. Even if you have never thought about working for us before, if you have the skills and experience we're looking for then we would like to hear from you.
About the Department
The Financial Communications department handles communications for the Church Commissioners and the Pensions Board, and works with other parts of the wider organisation to support with communications matters related to Finance.
What you'll be doing
The purpose of this role is to support the Head of Financial Communications in providing leadership and the wider organisation with a professional communications service.
Main duties and responsibilities

Ensure effective communications planning, processes, and staging calendar implementation

Maintain good relationships with key stakeholders (Church Commissioners, Pensions Board), with a particular focus on Responsible Investment

Monitor press coverage and distribute to all relevant internal contacts

Respond professionally to media enquiries from news organisations, including the rapid development of agreed responses to media enquiries

Proactively support and help prepare messaging ahead of anticipated media interest

Support internal stakeholders in development and communication of their core messaging

Proactively identify PR opportunities for the Church of England's National Investing Bodies

Manage the relationship with the Ethical Investment Advisory Group, the Social Impact Investment Fund, the Giving Team, Parish Buying, and other internal stakeholders

Build positive relationships with key financial and specialist journalists who cover the work of the National Investing Bodies

Field media requests for interviews, photo calls, events, and similar

Provide support with media training and photo shoots for internal stakeholders

Take initiative in identifying and organising relevant speaking, conference and award opportunities

Produce the Church Commissioners' annual report - liaising with internal stakeholders, collating and editing content, working with the design agency, and managing budget

Maintain excellent relationships with external suppliers and design agencies

Produce website content for relevant Church of England entities

Work with the digital communications team to support with social media content for Church Commissioners and Pensions Board

Manage the Church Commissioners' LinkedIn accounts, creating content and working with stakeholders to ensure consistent and timely content

Deputise for the Head of Financial Communications as necessary

About You
The Church of England is for everyone and we want to reflect the diversity of the community the Church serves across the whole country. Therefore, while of course we welcome all applications from interested and suitably experienced people, we would particularly welcome applicants from UK Minoritised Ethnicities (UKME)/Global Majority Heritage (GMH) and other under-represented groups.
Essential
Knowledge/Experience

Understanding of Financial Communications

Experience of working with mainstream media

Track record of delivering text to specification to tight deadlines

Skills & Abilities:

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Good time-management

Strong interpersonal skills

Good attention to detail

Desirable

Existing network among journalists

Journalistic or communications experience within a high profile organisation

Interest in sustainable investment

What we offer
Our benefits include:
A salary of £56,833 plus age-related pension contributions between 8-15% of salary. We will also match any pension contributions you make up to an additional 3% of salary.
25 days annual leave (increasing to 30 days within 5 years) plus three additional days
Flexible working hours and location, with an expectation of just 3 days per week in our office in Westminster
Structured induction programme and access to a range of development opportunities including apprenticeships
Access to Occupational Health, and an Employee Assistance Programme
Opportunity to the Civil Service Sports & Social Club, and get involved in a range of staff networks, groups and societies
We try to be as flexible as we can in your work pattern to support you with other commitments, and to give a good work-life balance.
The closing date for applications is 28 May 2024.