Head of Communications – Twickenham – The Rugby Players’ Association

Job Description
The Rugby Players’ Association (RPA) is the representative body and collective voice of professional rugby players in England which was established in 1998 to look after the interests of all professional players, from Academy players to the superstars of the international game. The RPA offers members Player Welfare and Representation services as well as a comprehensive Personal Development Programme to help prepare them for life after rugby. The RPA has also acted as the exclusive commercial representative of the England Team since February 2004.

Role and Purpose
The Head of Communications will be responsible for developing and activating the business wide communications strategy of the RPA and will undertake the day to day management of any PR activity and resources, as well as being responsible for all branded external documentation, literature and the company website.

Working closely with colleagues across the business, , the role holder will be responsible for ensuring a co-ordinated approach to all Communications, Marketing and PR activity and ensuring that it is fully aligned to the business wide strategy.

Roles and responsibilities
Communications:
• Overall management of all RPA Communications
• To manage and implement a business wide communications strategy, covering Commercial, Personal Development Programme, Alumni and Restart Rugby, the official charity of the RPA
• Manage Communications and PR budget for the financial year
• Responsible for all RPA Social Media strategy
• Overall management and development of the RPA website
• Line manage Communications Assistant, including objective setting and quarterly reviews
• Oversee the production of RPA publications and collateral
• Delivery and management of content for e-mail campaigns and text alerts
• Oversee production and output of video content
• Manage external relationships with RPA print and design partners

Public Relations:
• Main point of contact for all press enquiries for the RPA
• Develop strong relationship with key Rugby stakeholders and RPA Commercial Partners
• Implement and oversee marketing strategy for all RPA events, including social media campaigns and the production of marketing collateral
• To provide strategic advice to the Group CEO, Rugby Director and Board/Players in relation to potential press interviews
• Management of RPA public relations and company communications
• Effective management of media and press activity to generate positive awareness of all business areas of the RPA
• To develop strong relationships with key journalists, publications and broadcasters in rugby, education and lifestyle sectors

Person Specification (Experience and skills)
• Solid and proven experience in a senior communications role or equivalent
• Demonstrable knowledge of elite level sport
• Proven contacts and knowledge of journalists on regional, national and online media
• Demonstrable experience of PR campaigns or issues from inception to media coverage
• Hands on experience of driving and managing PR campaigns and working with other PR professionals including agencies
• Experience of dealing with senior level stakeholders both internally and externally
• Experience of managing and working within agreed budgets
• Excellent IT skills, including experience of website content management system, wordpress and social media applications – Twitter, Facebook, Instagram & LinkedIn

• Clear, articulate and natural communicator with strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to proactively build effective relationships at all levels as well as with the media
• Strong written communication skills and ability to adapt style to reflect the needs of the target audience
• Effective in working with external suppliers and achieving high performance from them
• Able to work to tight deadlines and respond to changing demands
• Excellent planning and organisational skills including content planning and schedules for delivering marketing communications.
• Experience dealing with elite athletes
• Must be a team player
• Engaging and charismatic personality who is well respected within their field and has the ability to build excellent relationships, both internally and externally

How to apply
If this role is of interest, please email your CV with a covering letter to smunday@theRPA.co.uk

Alternatively, please post your details to the following address:

Stuart Munday
Finance & HR Director
The Rugby Players Association
Regal House
London Road
Twickenham
TW1 3QS

Closing date: Monday 7th March 2016. (Please assume that you have been unsuccessful on this occasion if you are not contacted within 14 days of the closing date)

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