Head of PR and Communications

Head of PR and Communications

We’re looking for a strategic and creative communicator to plan and deliver internal and external communications at Seafish. Apply by 15 April.

Quick overview of the role:

• Job status: This is a permanent post leading the PR and Communications function in our Communication team working closely with the Head of Channels and Marketing. The role reports into the Director of Communications and Engagement.
• Location: This role is based in our Edinburgh office and with our flexible working environment your time can be split between home and the office.
• Salary: The starting salary range on the pay band for this post is £49,225 - £55,378.

The Head of PR and Communications post sits within our Communications team. It is made up of two functions:

1. A PR and Comms function focused on campaign management, content creation and media,
2. A Channels and Marketing function focused on the management of digital channels, brand and analytics.

This role leads our PR and Communications function but the two functions work together and share expertise and knowledge as one team.

Working in the Communications team at Seafish

About Seafish

We’re here to give the UK seafood sector the support it needs to thrive. Our work makes a huge difference to the seafood industry and the communities that rely on it. As a public body, we work with a range of partners – from seafood businesses and trade bodies to government, regulators and environmental organisations. Our work includes research, campaigns, guidance and advice and training. We cover a range of topics including sustainability, climate change and safety.

About the Communications team

It’s the job of the Communications team to promote the work we do to our staff, our levy payers, the wider seafood industry and policymakers. We’re an ambitious team with responsibility for delivering a packed programme of multi-channel activity to our internal and external audiences.

How we work

The Communications team have a mix of people working mostly remotely or working between the home and the office.

At Seafish, we have a trust and performance culture. Performance driven results mean having autonomy and accountability so you can work in the way that’s most effective for you, as long as you deliver your work to the expected standards. You’ll have a personal development plan that outlines the objectives and competencies for your role and learning and development goals. You’ll have regular catchups with your line manager, along with mid-year and end of year reviews to discuss your work and performance.

Job role, responsibilities and relationships

This role is responsible for leading the team that plans and delivers strategic internal and external communications to support the organisation’s overall strategic plan and goals.

As part of the leadership team, the Head of PR and Communications also helps to ensure effective and synchronised organisational planning and performance.

This means:

• Leading on the delivery of a five-year communications strategy to promote our work, champion the reputation of the seafood industry and support staff engagement through effective internal communications. Additionally, championing the organisation’s stakeholder engagement strategy.
• Contributing to leadership at Seafish as a member of the Captain’s Table (our leadership team).
• Leading a team of up to eight people through direct and indirect line management.

Main responsibilities

• Work with colleagues across the organisation to identify and plan communication needs aligned to the organisation’s corporate and annual plans and identify external opportunities to support communication goals.
• Lead on proactive and reactive communication to support the reputation of the seafood industry in the media. This includes delivery of PRoactive reputation campaigns and working closely with the Executive team to manage crisis communications when industry reputation issues come up.
• Contribute to staff engagement ambitions through leading on internal communications planning and deliver including development of internal channels.
• Lead and develop the team to successfully deliver individual and team goals and contribute to organisational objectives and create an environment for your team to work innovatively and develop their skills.
• Oversee the external and internal communications year planner to prioritise work and deliver communication results.
• Evaluation of internal and external communication activities to measure outcomes and identify learning opportunities.
• Plan and manage the PR and Communications annual budget through allocation of resources to campaigns, content and services.
• Lead the communications strategy and campaign delivery for the Fishing Industry Safety Group’s ‘Home and Dry’ fishing safety campaign. This includes working closely with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, management of the creative agency and overseeing external funding for the campaign.
• Help to drive the organisation’s wider stakeholder engagement strategy as part of the internal steering group.

Knowledge, skills and experience required

To be a suitable candidate for this role you should have:

• Degree or professional qualification in a Communications discipline, or significant relevant and worked experience in a similarly scaled Communications and Engagement role.
• Fully competent in PR and Communications, specifically: Media relations, Crisis communications, Campaign management, Content development for different audiences and channels and Copywriting.
• Strong people management experience with ability to develop and motivate a team to deliver results.
• Strong communication, advocacy and influencing skills.
• Budget management experience to ensure resources are used effectively and appropriately.
• Strategic leadership experience and the ability to analyse risk and make appropriate decisions.
• The ability to successfully juggle high-profile activities.
• Confident in crisis communications and the ability to respond and adapt quickly to change.
• Experience using in using standard computer software packages including Microsoft Teams and SharePoint.

Every role in Seafish is linked to our bespoke competency framework. The competency levels for this role are:

• Growing Expertise – Creates a learning and development environment
• Embracing Change – Leads and supports others through change
• Building Relationships – Builds effective teams to deliver strategy
• Achieving Results – Leads the team to achieve results
• Influencing with Impact – Communications complex messages

Salary and benefits

All roles within Seafish are graded and have defined salary bands. This role is a grade 7 post and the starting salary range on this band is £49,225 - £55,378. New recruits normally start at the lower end of the range unless they can demonstrate considerable experience in the requirements of the role.

Additional benefits include:

• 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays and wellbeing break when the organisation closes between Christmas and New Year (3 additional days).
• Optional five days per year paid volunteering leave for an activity of your choice.
• Trust and Performance culture – you work in a way that suits you to get your work done to the expected standard.
• A generous employer pension scheme – we'll double your contribution up to a maximum employer contribution of 10%.
• A range of health and wellbeing benefits including the Cycle to Work scheme, private medical insurance, gym discounts and eye care.
• Our unlimited employee assistance scheme is a support service available 24/7 – it offers confidential, impartial advice on anything you need such as work, family, finance support or anything else personal to you.
• A professional development culture with plenty of learning opportunities.
• Rewards for high performance each year.

How to apply

If you are interested in this role, we can't wait to hear from you!

The deadline for applications is 9am on 15 April 2024.

Candidates invited to interview will be given at least one weeks’ notice of PRoposed interview date to allow you to prepare. At this stage you may be asked to complete a short task in advance of interview. The interview will include competency-based questions.

If at any point during our recruitment and selection process you require any accommodations or special arrangements, please reach out to us.

For any queries please email recruitment@seafish.co.uk.