JOB TITL: PR and Internal Communication Manager ACCOUNTABL TO: Group Director: Marketing & Communications MANAGRIAL RSPONSIBILITIS FOR: PR and Internal Communication Officer GRAD / SALARY: 37 43 ( 35551 to 42442) JOB DSCRIPTION: PURPOS OF TH JOB Working across the colleges and schools to deliver relevant and timely internal and external communications on a regular basis. They will also be responsible for helping to manage and protect the colleges and schools reputations in the press and social media. They will have to work across The Learning Group to mine good news stories to publish. KY CONTACTS AND RLATIONSHIPS Internally: Customer Service Student xperience Business Development Finance CIS HR Curriculum Marketing states xecutive and Senior Leadership Team across The Learning Group Student body xternally: mployers SLC Schools Universities Media Suppliers MAT schools Other key stakeholders Prospective Students Page 1 of 7
MAIN DUTIS AND RSPONSIBILITIS The person will be responsible for: 1. To develop the annual PR and Internal Communications plan in line with the marketing strategy for The Learning Group to include colleges, MAT and school activity. 2. Measure and evaluate and report on the effectiveness of the internal and external communications plan. 3. To work with HR to build employee engagement and understanding of vision and values to achieve target scores 4. To manage the press office function for the Learning Group, handling media enquiries and reputation management. 5. To maximise the opportunities for positive national, local and trade media coverage, undertaking research and writing press releases. 6. Develop relevant and interactive communications channels to ensure the swift disseminations of key messages and information 7. Build good working relationships with key stakeholders both internally and externally to promote and enable the collation of good news stories 8. Develop a media plan with key contacts and to improve publication and to minimise reputational damage 9. To ensure a strategic and planned approach to achieve The Learning Group s business objectives working with relevant members of the Management Team and cross-college community to provide effective and appropriate communications 10. Working with the Research and Insight Manager to understand the national and local trends in the labour market, and use to promote TLG appropriately 11. Working with the Research and Insight Manager understand our competitors and use for competitive positing and advantage. 12. Working with the Marketing Manager develop and implement the PR plan to meet recruitment, conversion and retention plans and processes in line with The Learning Group targets for ALR, R, full-cost, H, project work and 14 19. 13. Manage The Learning Group s brand, tone of voice and positioning internally, with key stakeholders and in the external market place. Page 2 of 7
14. To understand and document social media channels, how they can be used to meet awareness and recruitment targets and to report on their effectiveness. 15. To support the Chief xecutive in her positioning in the market, reputation management and supporting with research for speeches. 16. To write speeches for the Chief xecutive 17. To ensure communications activity is outstanding, innovative and efficient by continuously reviewing and updating practice. 18. To promote and raise awareness of The Learning Group events (internally and externally, e.g. at schools). 19. To support the Marketing Manager with key campaigns for example summer recruitment with an appropriate plan, expertly executed to achieve targets 20. To proactively plan and manage the PR and Internal Comms for The Midland Academies Trust and its various schools to meet in year business objectives.. Size and Scope of Remit To ensure The Learning Group s reputation is managed both internally and externally in conjunction with the Group Director for Marketing and Comms. To ensure the management of the College s excellent external reputation locally, regionally and nationally. PR: ensuring the distribution of and publishing of good news stories; supporting the Colleges and MAT s issues/crises communications strategy; supporting the internal communications strategy. vents: promoting the events calendar featuring school recruitment events; awards ceremonies; College Festival; national competition selection events. -marketing: working with Marketing ensure that PR is developing the use of social media and the Colleges and MAT schools websites Page 3 of 7
To ensure all work produced incorporates best practice for equality and diversity and safeguarding. R and Full Cost: To deliver a dedicated tactical PR plan in support of The Learning Group s employer engagement strategy. 14 19: To deliver a dedicated PR plan to support recruitment of school leavers (including liaison with Assistant Principal 11 19 Partnerships to deliver a joint school engagement strategy). ALR and Full Cost: To deliver a dedicated PR plan to support recruitment of adult learners, particularly in partnership with Community Partnerships & Customer Service. Projects: To deliver a dedicated tactical PR plan in support of recruitment on to project-funded provision, such as those branded as Move Forward. Higher ducation: To deliver a dedicated tactical PR plan in support of recruitment on H programmes, working with relevant HIs where necessary. Key Duties 1. Financial (Budget, Revenue xpenditure, Capital) 2. People PR budget managed and monitored with reporting on ROI. Day-to-day management of the PR staff, including performance targets, coaching and objectives. Monitoring of individual and team performance through target setting (Operating Plan/Self-Assessment) and individual appraisals and one to ones and monthly team meetings. 3. Processes 4. Quality Processes are documented to ensure consistent working Presenting information to appropriate Boards. Production of an annual Operating Plan and Self-Assessment plans to measure delivery and monitoring of performance. Analysis of PR activity to establish return on investment and effectiveness. Page 4 of 7
5. Improvement Setting and measurement of targets through Self-Assessment process. Consultation with stakeholders to evaluate current marketing activity and to inform future activity. 6. Health & Safety To ensure completion of risk assessments where necessary. Overseeing the safe health and safety of day-to-day operation of PR across The Learning Group 7. Any Other Duties Generic for level Duty Officer Responsibility as part of the management rota. As a Manager, it is essential that the post holder act as an excellent role model for the Federation and Group, operating in accordance with corporate values and in line with the Staff Code of Conduct. Whilst not an exhaustive list it is anticipated that this will be achieved by ensuring: 1. Proactive engagement with strategic planning and deployment, demonstrating functional and Federation wide accountability, and informing and supporting SMT, the xecutive Team and Board 2. Communication mechanisms are in place and effectively utilised throughout all areas of functional responsibility to ensure (internally and externally): a. effective reputation management b. sound conveyance of college strategic plans and performance updates to secure staff engagement c. Corporation and Federation Board members are updated and reported to, with attendance at meetings as required d. proactive networking 3. ffective financial management is in place to ensure delivery that is: a. in line with budgetary targets b. in accordance with College financial regulations c. in support of income generation targets d. in support of College efficiency targets 4. Individuals and all teams are led and developed to ensure: a. promotion of a positive, inclusive ethos with a shared commitment to practicing quality of Opportunity and a shared commitment to challenging and preventing stereotyping and prejudice Page 5 of 7
b. effective utilisation of staff resource c. functional commitment to effective performance management e.g. regular performance reviews / promotion of staff development / proactive talent management & succession planning d. teams led by an effective coach who inspires individuals to achieve performance excellence e. collaborative, cross college working 5. Functional engagement in effective self-assessment, proactive participation in and in support of quality review processes, and that the area is well represented through inspections and audit processes 6. Functional operations take a proactive approach to risk management including: a. Promotion of high standards of health, safety and welfare b. nsuring processes and practice afford for appropriate use and safeguards to protect data c. ffective distribution of tasks and activities to ensure workloads are managed fairly, and that processes are secure and protected from abuse or neglect d. nsuring the mutual responsibilities to safeguard staff and learners are understood by all, who are required to maintain fluency with current procedures, structures and reporting processes 7. Accountability to act in line with the standard of expectations for a manager at all times; operate as required as a Duty Officer This job description is current at the date shown, but following consultation with you, may be changed by Management to reflect or anticipate changes in the job which are commensurate with the salary and job title. Signature: Beth Parsons Date: July 2015 Closing date: Thursday 6 th August 2015 at 11am Interview date: Tuesday 11 th August Page 6 of 7
PRSON SPCIFICATION Qualifications (incl. membership of professional bodies) Literacy and Numeracy qualifications to at least Level 2 or equivalent Professional / vocational qualification (identify specifics) Marketing/ Communications degree or similar is desirable. ssential () or Desirable (D) Assessed by:- Insert here: a)application form b) interview c) test / practical session etc xperience Appropriate professional PR experience of at least 3 years in a PR and management position. An understanding/knowledge of the education sector would be desirable. D Proactive approach to media and communication and problem solving The ability to persuade, influence and negotiate. B Knowledge, skills and behaviour vidence of professional conduct (in accordance with corporate and professional body values & behaviours IT competence with key systems and programmes (identify specifics) xcellent communication (written and verbal) and relationship skills. A commitment to &D, and recognition of how this post can support the safeguarding of young people The ability to communicate clearly, orally and in writing, formally and informally. The ability to provide enthusiastic guidance and support to a committed team of professionals. vidence of personal initiative, innovation and flexibility. D D A & C B & C B & C B Where the post holder cannot demonstrate desirable criteria at the point of appointment, it is expected that there will be a willingness to agree a timeframe and work towards achievement of each desirable criteria. Page 7 of 7