Job title: Head of Public Relations

Region: London

Directorate: Marketing and Communications

Contract: Permanent. Full time, 35 hours

Salary: Circa £50,000 per annum plus £4,452 London weighting

About The Royal British Legion

The Legion is at the heart of a national network that supports our Armed Forces community through thick and thin – ensuring their unique contribution is never forgotten. We’ve been here since 1921 and we’ll be here as long as they need us.

Our Values and Behaviours

Does the following describe you?

• A desire to provide a great customer service and support
• Enjoy and thrive in working in teams and with others
• Passionate about supporting the Armed Forces community and honouring their contribution
• Come to work each day to be the best you can and to learn and develop
• An encourager, eager to share your knowledge and experience to help others

If so then we would like to hear from you ….

The Role

The Royal British Legion is seeking a senior public relations specialist with significant experience heading up a busy and varied press office within a national organisation. Candidates are welcomed from all sectors and must be able to demonstrate their ability to enhance and protect reputation, handle a broad range of stakeholders, and manage crisis communications. The Legion marks it Centenary in 2021 and as the charity looks to the next 100 years, its communication challenges focus on comprehension and relevancy. As the UK’s biggest Armed Forces charity, the Legion answers hundreds of thousands of calls for help each year, and champions Remembrance to ensure all generations understand the unique contribution of the Armed Forces community. The Legion also runs one of the most high-profile charity appeals in the world, the Poppy Appeal.

Given the complex nature of the role, the ideal candidate will be a strategic thinker with excellent analytical and problem-solving skills. Sound judgement is a must, as is a strong capability for scenario planning, and the leadership and management skills to operate at a senior level and direct a team of ten. Candidates will be expected to have a solid understanding of current affairs and the news agenda and be well connected across the media industry. The postholders’ ability to develop and maintain external and internal stakeholder relationships is critical to the success of the role, both in confidently negotiating with and influencing journalists and earning the trust and respect of senior staff within the organisation. Decision making is often required in pressurised and short time periods, and candidates need to demonstrate their ability to switch seamlessly between longer term projects and reactive issues management. If you thrive in a busy press office and are inspired by the work of The Royal British Legion, then we look forward to hearing from you.

The role is primarily office based in Borough High Street, SE1 1AA, however due to COVID 19 the team are currently working from home.  This role would likely begin remotely and then follow government and organisational guidelines on returning to the office, with potential opportunities to continue to work from home on a regular basis going forward.

How to Apply

Please apply by clicking ‘Apply online’

Closing date for this role is: Sunday 6^th December 2020

We reserve the right to close this vacancy when we are in receipt of sufficient applications. Should you wish to apply for this post you are advised to complete and submit your application form as soon as possible.