Job Description
ukactive is a not-for-profit health body with a long-standing and uncompromising vision to improve the health of the nation by getting more people more active, more often. ukactive achieves this by facilitating big-impact partnerships, championing innovation, providing high-quality services to our members, campaigning, conducting research and sharing insights.
Our members and partners range from long-standing health and fitness chains to local authority national operators, arms-length government bodies such as Sport England and commercial brands such as Nike.
The primary responsibility of the Public Affairs & Communications Director is to lead the strategy and direction of ukactive’s public affairs and communications work and directorate, providing the senior leadership to drive value and impact across the full breadth of ukactive stakeholders – from our members and partners, to the media, government and other sectors.
General Duties
The Public Affairs & Communications Director is responsible for the strategic planning, development and implementation of integrated member-facing and external communications to support the strategic objectives of ukactive.
Responsibilities
include overseeing the development of the ukactive organisational and internal communications, issues and crisis management, public affairs and media relations.
The Public Affairs & Communcations Director will also sit on the ukative Executive Management Team and will therefore be responsible for working across the team to deliver pan-organisation strategy development and planning.
ukactive’s Public Affairs & Communications team uses a multi-channel, multi-stakeholder approach to inform and shape the physical activity narrative, with the objective of strengthening the value in which ukactive is held by key members, partners, stakeholders and media influencers.
Specific tasks and responsibilities
(these include, but are not limited to:)
• Develop, implement and evaluate the comprehensive strategic communications and public affairs framework and concepts based on specific objectives and requirements of all ukactive directorates.
• Develop and lead the alignment of communications with Client Services and Strategic Partner Group operations to enhance member value, member engagement and the recognition of ukactive services.
• Provide strategic direction to the Communications team in order to support the development of appropriate strategies, and the planning and implementation of ukactive’s PR, brand communications.
• Provide expertise and consultancy for various Strategic Projects, helping to deliver key revenue drivers for the business.
• Lead, motivate and be responsible for the wellbeing of the teams within the Public Affairs and Communications Directorate in line with ukactive’s values and behaviours.
• Build and foster effective relationships between ukactive and key stakeholders in government, including Sport England, DCMS, Department of Health and Social Care, Department for Education, MPs and others to promote the profile of the organisation.
• Provide guidance to the Public Affairs team on building ukactive’s reputation and profile in the public sphere.
• Serve as a member of the ukactive Executive and thereby contribute to the overall strategic direction of the organisation.
• Provide the Chief Executive, Chair and Board members with timely and well-informed advice on the commercial and political implications of ukactive’s activities and their likely impact on the organisation’s reputation and profile.
• Identify and respond to issues and trends of strategic importance and ensure ukactive is positioned place to capitalise on them.
• Oversee a team of around 6 FTE, ensuring effective working within the team and compliance with key processes, such as KPI setting and performance management and reviews.
• Maintain budgetary responsibility for spend in areas of responsibility.
• Demonstrate leadership in internal communications, ensuring all staff are engaged and supportive of organisational messaging.
• Speak regularly at external events and attend media interviews on behalf of ukactive.
Person specification
Skill, knowledge and experience required
Essential
• Extensive communication, advocacy and influencing skills, including an ability to present complex messages at the highest levels in a range of formats.
• Evidence of senior leadership in a complex environment, and a track record of operating credibly at all levels in an organisation, including influencing at Board level.
• Ability to build and motivate high-performing teams and create a learning culture across all parts of the organisation.
• Experience and understanding of delivering messages across a variety of channels, including the use of data and targeting to increase reach.
• Experience of working with corporate partners to provide additional resources and amplify key campaign messages.
• Understanding of the political environment and able to build coalitions of support among external stakeholders.
• Excellent communications and stakeholder management skills at a senior level.
• Proven experience of managing and being accountable for substantial budgets.
• Proven ability to problem-solve at a strategic level and respond quickly to events.
• Proven ability to facilitate and champion change.
• Comfortable and confident in acting as company spokesperson with media and key influencers.
• Proven project management skills and ability to work assertively but diplomatically with management at all levels.
Desirable
• Knowledge and understanding of the physical activity and health sectors, including culture and external influences.
• Experience in physical activity or health-related communications and campaigns.
• Experience in internal communications, including leadership communications, employee engagement communication initiatives and change management.
• Adept at identifying digital technology trends and quickly assessing how to engage for the benefit of ukactive.
• Professional membership in Communications/Public Relations (e.g. CIPR).
Due to the current situation with COVID-19, interview will take place via video call.
Benefits:
Attractive benefits package including 5% matched contribution pension (up to a fixed amount), 50% discounted gym membership, 25 days holiday (inclusive of 3 days over christmas) plus 8 bank holidays, Perkbox discount scheme, cycle to work scheme, flexible working
How to apply
To apply for this position, please send your CV and cover letter to jobs@ukactive.org.uk with the reference UKACT/PAC/PACD/UKSP/042020