Assistant Director of Communications

Our local authority client based in East London are urgently seeking an experienced Assistant Director of Communications.

*£650 a day Umbrella*

Overall Purpose of Role

You will hold ultimate responsibility for content and channel strategy, ensuring that audience engagement is underpinned by innovation and excellence in our storytelling and presentation, from inspiring imagery to engaging case studies, all of it relevant to the audiences, outlets and platforms we seek to target.

Your areas of responsibility and functional leadership include:

• Internal Communications | Internal communications lead the development and implementation of the Council’s internal communications strategy, contributing to a step change in awareness, engagement and understanding among Newham colleagues of the Council, its vision, values, strategic priorities and of individual service area milestones. This contributes to a strengthened internal culture that motivates staff to maximise their performance, deliver the corporate plan Building a Fairer place, and become ambassadors for the Council.
• Media Relations | Effectively and proactively managing media relations is fundamental to presenting the Borough in the best possible light, responding to and mitigating reputational risk, but also - crucially - showcasing positive and ground breaking initiatives, our regeneration programme, our leadership and the contribution of the Council workforce. We must do this better - by building strong media contacts and relationships, and in having a consistently proactive mindset, either in the pursuit of features, profile pieces or broadcast packages, or in more deftly turning the reactive news agenda to our own advantage.
• Social Media | Social media platforms provide powerful channels for reaching and engaging with our audiences through creative and well curated content and two way dialogue. We need a full community and channel audit across our key accounts, more thinking behind what and how we post, and a more strategic and performance-driven approach overall.
• Production and Content | Production and content are responsible for developing innovative and creative assets , applying brand guidelines, across digital, print, events, audio, and video for external and internal communications. They deliver a programme of production and wed and intranet content and campaigns that actively contributes to the Council’s strategic integrated campaigns

EDUCATION/QUALIFICATIONS

• Educated to degree level or equivalent level of work experience at a senior level relevant to the field.
• Evidence of continuing professional/management development.

KNOWLEDGE

• Clear understanding of communication products, practice and the key drivers for strong and positive reputation management.
• Strong understanding of audience segmentation and best practice for various channels and platforms.
• Understanding of how to create, commission and optimise different content types and engagement techniques to maximise impact and response
• Familiarity with relevant legal and voluntary controls on local government publicity.
• Awareness of public sector practice, the political environment and Newham Council’s diverse communities.
• An appreciation of transformational change in a complex organisation.
• Knowledge and understanding of accessibility good practice and guidance.

EXPERIENCE

• A successful track record of leading communication services within a politically complex organisation.
• Direct experience of developing and delivering effective strategies in at least three of the following disciplines: media relations, production and content, social media, or internal communications.
• Track record of successfully delivering complex communication programmes or campaigns.
• Experience in crisis and emergency communication and handling sensitive issues.
• Experience of working with senior officers (desirable for this to extend to politicians).
• People management at an organisational level including motivation, performance and capability.
• Providing strategic leadership and maximising efficiency, with an appreciation of different delivery models to improve performance.
• Experience in managing budgets, financial information and the budget setting process.

Please apply with your updated CV ensuring that any gaps in employment are explained.

At this point, may we take this opportunity to thank you for the interest you have shown in this role. Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications that we receive, it is not always possible to respond to everyone. Therefore, unless you hear from us within the next 7 days, your application for this vacancy will have been unsuccessful.