Job Description
Background
For more than eight decades, the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) has taken a global leadership role in uniting the Commonwealth’s athletes, citizens and communities through the transformative and connecting power of sport. The CGF is the organisation responsible for the strategic direction of the Commonwealth Games, Commonwealth Youth Games and associated projects and initiatives across the Commonwealth Sport Movement. Working with 71 Commonwealth Games Associations (CGAs) across six regions, the CGF creates peaceful, sustainable and prosperous communities across the Commonwealth.

In July 2022, Birmingham will host the XXII Commonwealth Games, the largest multi-sport event to be held in England in 10 years. Approximately 6,500 athletes and team officials from across the Commonwealth will come together in a 12-day celebration of sport and culture. Events will take place across Birmingham and the West Midlands, entertaining more than one million ticketed spectators and reaching a global broadcast audience of more than one billion. Prior to that, in Summer 2021, 1000 of the Commonwealth’s finest young athletes will gather in Trinidad & Tobago for the 7th edition of the Commonwealth Youth Games, an international festival of sport, youth and international friendship.
The development of the Commonwealth Sport digital strategy is a key Transformation 2022 strategic objective, along with an ambition to deliver a world-class digital solution at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. The current approach is fragmented – with the Federation, participating teams and every Games host managing and servicing different and at times competing or crossover channels. The voice, engagement and reach of athletes are also not supported or integrated in to content planning.
Because of this, the CGF have recently agreed an ambitious digital strategy to create an athlete-centred, sports-focused movement, powered by digital – one ‘Commonwealth Sport’ team (CGF, Birmingham 2022 OC and future Host City OCs) will work together and use Birmingham 2022 as a launchpad, building on this Games with the implementation of a longer-term digital technical solution and content strategy, allowing for a more sustainable and consistent digital footprint for future Games.

The strategy aims to connect, support and amplify the social media presence of our 71 Commonwealth Games Association members and their athletes, ensuring a better supported, coordinated and effective social media approach across athletes, teams, Games hosts and the Federation itself.
This digital strategy will reinvent the Commonwealth Sport Movement’s digital presence, reach and influence. It aims to transform the approach to communications and storytelling globally, connecting with new, younger fans. It will also play an essential role underpinning and supporting other strategies (Games Hosting, Games Value, Broadcast, Development, Communications) enabling the Movement to reach, engage, grow and retain global audiences like never before.

Role Overview
This is an exciting opportunity for a driven and innovative individual to develop engaging, fun and strategic content for multiple audiences across Commonwealth Sport social channels and the CGF website, working as an integrated member of ‘one team’ alongside the OC. This role will plan and deliver the digital content strategy as required, across website, CRM and social media channels.
Reporting to the CGF’s Media and Communications Manager, the focus of this role will be to champion the Commonwealth Sport digital communications and marketing plan, by developing and delivering creative and compelling stories across a number of digital channels. As part of this, the role will look to enhance Commonwealth Sport social media presence, including interacting with Commonwealth Sport ‘audiences’, promoting brand-focused interactive and engaging content, and expanding opportunities for revenue.
A key part of this role will be liaising with the CGF’s constituent parties (such as the Commonwealth Sports Foundation (CSF), Commonwealth Games Associations (CGAs), Youth Games etc) to promote engaging and creative stories which build awareness of the Commonwealth Sport Movement, its vision and its ambitions.

This role will be responsible for the ongoing planning and delivery of the CGF digital channel and content strategy, including liaison with any digital or creative agencies who may support with this. The post holder is also expected to access the latest trends and developments in digital media to ensure that the CGF maintains a radical and fresh digital content strategy and delivery approach. CGAs should also be supported in this area.
This role will take direction from the CGF Media and Communications Manager, as well as integrate with the OC’s digital and social media team to align on campaigns and enhance/augment specific OC priorities when required (such as mascot launch, QBR, Games Time proactive and reactive messaging.

Key Responsibilities
• Work with the CGF Media and Communications Manager and Birmingham 2022 Communications and Digital Teams to support the development and delivery of a content plan and regular “365” content planning. Content will include short form and long-form text, video and photography.
• Deliver on exciting and world-class social media campaigns and strategies, including budget planning, content ideation, and implementation schedules.
• Work with CGF Communications and Marketing leads to develop the CGF social media ‘tone of voice’ and profile.
• Grow and expand Commonwealth Sport social media presence into new social media platforms (e.g. TikTok), plus look to increase presence on existing platforms including Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.)
• Create and distribute engaging written or graphic content in the form of e-newsletters, web page and blog content, or social media messages
• Support and liaise with CGAs to develop and manage complimentary content.
• Support and liaise with digital staff of other stakeholders (eg Commonwealth Sport Foundation, Commonwealth Secretariat, DCMS etc) to coordinate plans and explore mutually beneficial opportunities.
• Support post-Games continuity plans to ensure successful transition from ‘Games time’ to ‘Commonwealth Sport’ channels.
• Work with videographers and other agencies when required to amplify message and stories based on channel strategy.
• Oversee the CGF website and all content, including engaging blogs etc, ensuring it is relevant and up to date.
• Oversee the CGF YouTube channel and CGF social media channels whilst they still exist as separate to the Games social media channels.
• Lead on the social media public enquiries ‘helpdesk’ and provide answers in a professional manner.
• Feed in to requirements for social media tools and software eg social command centre, social media monitoring etc.
• Develop and use analytical tools to ensure the ongoing development, refinement and impact of CGF channels
• Work with OC’s digital team to develop an integrated social media dashboard and reporting capabilities.
• Ensures brand consistency in marketing and social media messages by working with the CGF marketing and communications teams.
• Work with the OC social media team to create one set of agreed approval processes, and Commonwealth Sport social media policies and procedures.
• Work with the CGF Digital Delivery Manager to develop the digital communications plan once a 2026 Host is on board and a transition plan ‘post 2022 Games’.
• Support CGAs with the development and delivery of their social media content
• On occasion, support the CGF Media and Communications Manager with media relations activities
• Researches and monitors activity of company competitors.

How to apply
Applications should be in the form of a pdf covering letter and curriculum vitae. These should be sent via email to communications@thecgf.com by 5pm UK time on 30 April 2020. The email should be titled “Digital Communications Officer”. All applicants must be able to demonstrate the right to work in the UK and should include details of their current remuneration and notice period. The salary for the role of Digital Communications Officer is circa £25k pa subject to commensurate experience. The role is based in the London headquarters of the Commonwealth Games Federation and envisaged to be a full-time position subject to ongoing project funding with a minimum term of twelve months, subject to renewal and satisfactory probation. Regular domestic travel to Birmingham, host city of the 2022 Commonwealth Games, is expected.