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Senior Corporate Affairs Manager

Employer
National Trust
Location
Swindon
Salary
£46,711 pa
Closing date
6 Jul 2018

View more

Contract Type
Permanent
Hours
Full Time
Discipline
Corporate Communications
Sector
Charities, Environmental

Senior Corporate Affairs Manager

£46,711 pa

Permanent f/t (37.5 hrs pw)

Swindon

Ref: IRC67021

Summary

The National Trust’s public profile has arguably never been higher. We now have more members than at any time during our entire history, along with record numbers of visitors. As our profile has risen, so too has the level of interest and scrutiny in what we do and why we do it.

We’re rarely out of the headlines and as one of the biggest and best known charities in the country, almost everyone will have a view on some aspect of what the Trust does.

We need a razor-sharp communications expert to help us communicate our story in a clear, consistent and compelling way to a broad range of audiences. We’re looking for a highly diplomatic, organised and energetic senior individual, with extensive experience of corporate affairs to strengthen public understanding of what we do as charity, how we do it and why we do it.

 

What it's like to work here

We provide the best possible working environment for you throughout the building whilst also promoting and fostering a sociable community. Do great things for us and we’ll do great things for you and your career.

Heelis is the Central Office for the National Trust; it was named after one of the Trust’s biggest benefactors Mrs William Heelis (Beatrix Potter). There are approximately 500 staff based here from across the Trust’s directorates, including the Executive Team and the Director-General.

Heelis was designed to be highly sustainable and has won a number of nationally recognised awards. Designed by Feilden Clegg Bradley Architects in 2005, this architectural gem uses timber from our woodlands and wool from Herdwick sheep grazed on Trust farmlands, to help make Heelis a unique working environment.

 

What you'll be doing

You will lead on the organisation's external communications narrative, ensuring the complex world of the Trust is simplified and the direction the organisation is taking is more widely understood and supported.

You will lead on messaging, ensuring we have a clear, compelling and consistent overarching story and manage major reputational issues and concerns – ensuring our crisis communication plans and processes are effective and regularly reviewed. You will also challenge the organisation on risks and reputational concerns - before they become a problem.

You will lead on managing our major corporate communications moments, such as the AGM and financial results as well as identifying pro-active opportunities to tell key audiences about our wider work and how we operate as charity.

You will strengthen the way we operate across the organisation and identify areas where our communications could be improved.

The role is a key leadership role within the team, shaping the Trust's external narrative and building understanding and support for what we do across a wide range of audiences.

The role will be highly collaborative, working across the Trust to build close working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders both internally and externally. You will be advising the senior team and build strong relationships with senior journalists. You’ll be plugged into the wider political and media debate and already have an extensive network of contacts.

You will manage a small team, coaching and supporting their development and will act as a trusted advisor to large network of regional and property teams.

 

Who we're looking for

•Proven track record in corporate communications at a senior level ideally within a high profile organisation.

•You will have extensive media relations experience and communications expertise, built up within a journalism or PR background (or ideally both).

•Strong track record for managing major reputational issues, crisis communication planning and crisis situations.

•You will have a proven track record for devising and delivering highly effective strategic communication plans for a large and complex organisation.

•You can strip down complex information and competing agendas, into simple, compelling narratives.

•You’re someone who can build relationships quickly and effectively, and is experienced at providing support and advice to senior stakeholders across the organisation.

•You plan activity carefully and strategically, ensuring it’s helping to deliver our objectives. Measuring and evaluating success will come as second nature to you, as will use data and insights to guide planning.

•A self-starter with a quick eye for spotting a PR opportunity and turning it into a story.

•You’ve managed teams before and have a track record for improving and developing your people.

 

The package

Looking after you

•Health cash plan – from as little as £2.81 per month for you and your dependents

•Pension contribution match up to 10%

•EAP and proactive Health and Wellbeing

•Discounted gym membership

 

Looking after your career

•Grow your career through professional training courses across the Trust

•Develop your skills with an internal secondment

•Pay review linked to values and behaviours, commitment to progression

•Income protection due to illness

 

Unique to Us

•Work in some of the most beautiful, iconic and unique locations in the UK

•Free entry to NT properties for you, a guest and your children (under 18)

•20% off in our retail and catering outlets

•Discount up to 35% off a National Trust holiday cottage booking

 

Closing date: 06 July 2018

For more information and to apply, please click the application button below.

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