Head of Communications

You will report to the Director and work closely with department heads across the organisation. If you want to use your outstanding communication skills to change how animals are viewed by the public, this could be the role for you!

As the Head of Communications, you will be responsible for the strategic planning and execution of communications around Animal Aid’s ground-breaking and influential work.

Using your existing management skills, you will also be responsible for line-managing our existing communications team of two. Another key part of your role will be developing our communication strategy, monitoring progress and evaluating success.

You must be committed to the objectives of the organisation and be in tune with Animal Aid’s ethical, vegan stance and outlook.

This position will involve hybrid-working – in the Tonbridge office, working remotely and occasional UK travel.

Salary: £42-£45,000 depending on experience

See below for the job description and person specification.

To apply: Please send a CV and cover letter explaining how your skills and experience meet the requirements of the role. These should be emailed to carole@animalaid.org.uk.

Closing date: 4th September 2024 (end of day)

You must have the right to work in the UK.

First round interviews will be held online the week commencing 16^th September.

Animal Aid is an equal opportunities employer, and we welcome applications from all candidates who have the required skills and experience, regardless of gender, marital status, race, ethnic origin, nationality, disability, sexual orientation, religion or age.

Job description

1. To develop, with the Director, the strategic planning of all communications. To oversee the development and delivery of creative communication plans to reach our target audiences. This includes setting targets and ensuring through monitoring and evaluation that maximum impact is achieved.
2. To oversee and co-ordinate the work of the Communications Department.
3. To work closely with the Head of Campaigns to develop campaign plans with a particular focus on how the campaign message is communicated. Additionally, to work with other Department Heads to ensure that communications in their areas are effective and that messaging is cohesive across all areas.
4. To develop and promote Animal Aid’s core campaign for the rights of animals, aiming to raise awareness and improve attitudes to animals.
5. To line-manage the Communications team, currently comprised of the Communications Manager and the Social Media Officer, with recruitment of an additional team member expected in 2025. This will include providing support, evaluating performance and ensuring that opportunities for professional development are provided.
6. To act as a spokesperson for Animal Aid, seeking out and undertaking press, radio and TV interviews and taking part in appropriate events. You will work to raise the Animal Aid’s profile, develop media contacts and place our work in media outlets.
7. To represent Animal Aid in a variety of forums, including meetings with parliamentarians, business representatives, other campaigning organisations and our supporters.
8. To oversee the production of all public-facing materials, printed or digital.
9. To oversee and build relations with the Animal Aid’s celebrity supporters and patrons.
10. To keep up to date with developments in the field of Communications, ensuring that we make the best use of technology and available platforms.
11. To campaign with integrity on a factual basis and to the highest standard, with a commitment to advance the cause of animals that is commensurate with their needs. These values are central to our ethos. Animal Aid is held in high regard by animal advocates, many professional bodies and individuals, including those in the media and politics. The Head of Communications must maintain this reputation by embodying Animal Aid’s ethos at all times.

This job description is not exhaustive. The successful candidate may be required to take on additional responsibilities as the role develops or as required.

Whilst this position is mainly office/home based, attendance will be expected at certain events (e.g. meetings, media interviews, exhibitions). Time in lieu will be given as appropriate.

Person specification

Experience

• A proven track record of planning and delivering a successful communication strategy and managing a communications team.
• Substantial experience in working with the media, including proactively securing coverage, providing comments and taking part in interviews.
• Experience of line-managing staff, with a supportive approach that ensures high-quality work is consistently delivered.
• Experience of working effectively in a team, including collaborating with colleagues in other departments on shared projects.
• Experience of balancing proactive communication plans with the need to be reactive to current affairs.

Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with an ability to speak to a wide range of people including journalists, senior stakeholders and supporters. Ability to write clearly, accurately and concisely, and in a range of formats for different audiences.
• Highly developed planning and organisational skills and the ability to manage priorities, both independently and within a team.
• Understanding of the media landscape and how campaigning organisations can use it effectively.
• Excellent negotiating and relationship building skills.
• Thorough knowledge of key animal rights issues, with the ability to remain up-to-date with developments.
• Ability to balance your creativity with high-quality planning and monitoring to ensure integrated communications and campaigns run smoothly and achieve their aims.
• Can take ownership of our brand guidelines and identity and ensure that all our materials consistently reflect it.

Benefits

• Contributory pension scheme
• 23 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) and additional long service days
• Employee Assistance Programme, giving access to health and wellbeing support, counselling services and discounts
• Access to training and professional development opportunities
• Season ticket loan
• Bicycle purchase loan (Cycle to work scheme)