Strategic Communications Manager

Strategic Communications Manager, 12 month Fixed Term Contract

Are you an aspiring communications professional looking for your next challenge? 

Are you strategic in your thinking, able to focus yourself and others on priority areas and ensure consistent use of key messaging with a focus on the impact of our funding?  

Could you help to manage a team of communications officers – with press and digital specialisms - and work with them to create and deliver strategic content across all our channels that tells the story of how our funding supports amazing community-led projects that strengthen society and improve lives across the UK. 

We’re looking for a proactive communications professionals with at least three years’ previous relevant experience to join our busy strategic and digital communications team as managers.  Ideally, you will be confident and comfortable in a fast-paced environment, with the ability to spot content opportunities across a wide-range of topics, and the strategic skills to agree which stories to take forward.  

You will be keen (and have the skills) to get the best out of people and will be used to working in a matrix organisation, with the ability to break down silos and build relationships to deliver projects and ‘get the job done’. You will also have experience of using analytics and evaluation tools to deliver communications work with impact and measurable results.  

Interview Date:  First interviews W/C 18th March via MS Teams

Location: London, Birmingham or Newcastle with Hybrid working – a blend of working from home and either the London, Birmingham or Newcastle office as a base, with occasional travel to other offices as required.

If you would like an informal discussion about the role specifically, please contact: Claire Hughes, Head of Strategic Communications [email protected]

Any questions about the recruitment process, please email: [email protected]

Essential criteria

You will need to demonstrate your experience, qualifications and skills in these areas:  

•At least three years’ experience of working in a PR agency, in-house communications, digital communications, or Press Office function, with some examples of communications planning management and strategic thinking.    
 
•Excellent written skills and the ability to influence and convince others, with experience of developing and implementing communications plans for senior level stakeholders, such as a CEO. 
 
•Highly organised - with an ability to think on your feet and work at pace - while being a supportive team player who shows interest in others and develops a range of contacts outside your own team to get the job done  
•Experience of media handling, including out-of-hours. The successful postholder will be required to help deliver our On Call service as part of a rota with other team members.
•Experience of digital communications, content creation and managing the delivery of integrated campaigns.
Desirable criteria
•Be responsive to emerging issues and trends which impact on your work, the work of the team, or the Fund.  
 
•Take ownership and be accountable for your work. Demonstrate agility, a ‘can do’ attitude and a willingness to step out of your lane where necessary, all whilst encouraging others to do the same. 
 
•Be committed to the Fund’s vision and principles, respectful of its position as an Arms Length Body to Government, and encourage others to do the same.  

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion 

Communities in the UK come in all shapes and sizes. National Lottery funding is for everyone – therefore, we are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and we work hard to ensure our funding reaches where it is needed.  

We also believe our people should represent the communities, organisations and individuals we work with. That’s why the National Lottery Community Fund is committed to being an inclusive employer and a great place to work. We recognise and celebrate the fact that our people come from diverse backgrounds. We positively welcome applications from people from ethnic minority backgrounds, people with disabilities or longstanding health conditions, people who are LGBTQ+, and people from different socio-economic and educational backgrounds, as well as people of all ages. 

As a Disability Confident Employer, we take a proactive approach in making reasonable adjustments, if needed, throughout the recruitment process and during employment. (This can be related to a physical and mental health condition.)