Community Communications Manager

Job Title : Community Communications Manager      

Department : Communications

Reports to : Head of Community Communications

Salary Banding : £40-£45,000

Job Level : Guide

Location : Twickenham

Duration : Fixed Term 12-month Contract (starting ASAP)

Nature and scope:

This role requires an experienced communications professional who is a talented copy writer and who demonstrates high standards and accuracy across their work. 

The role holder will lead on internal game communications, focusing on two-way communications between the RFU and key stakeholders. The primary focus of the role will be to drive player affiliation/registration through clear and engaging communications which explain the process and its benefits. The role holder will be responsible for developing the narrative and managing communications relating to the Platform for Rugby, Game Management System (GMS), data management and digital data content strategy. 

Alongside being an integral member of the communications team, the role holder will work closely with a range of subject matter experts (SMEs) and stakeholders, including the Technology, Insights, CRM and Rugby Development teams, as well as Community Game Board (CGB) Constituent Body (CB) and club representatives. A key part of the job will be to ensure that those involved in playing, managing and running the community game are provided with timely, useful and engaging information to support them.

Accountabilities:

• Develop and implement the communications plan to support the roll out of the Platform for Rugby and affiliation/registration processes. 
• Lead on communications relating to the RFU’s digital data content transformation strategy. 
• Provide content for and post on a variety of communication channels including Facebook, Twitter, web, email (working with the CRM team), Articulate and online portals.
• Work alongside the Platform For Rugby engagement lead to manage and provide information to a range of GMS User Groups.
• Liaise with Rugby Development Heads of Function to create 3-monthly communications plans covering the range of activity within the community game.
• Publish and manage the operational delivery of the community communications calendar for internal staff, CGB and CB reference.
• Provide advice to SMEs on messaging, tone and narratives relating to communication updates from their specialist areas, ensuring information is communicated efficiently and appropriately to different audiences.
• Draft, edit, proof-read key communications from the RFU to stakeholders, including RFU Council Members, CGB members, clubs, CB, schools, universities and players. 
• Communication updates include, but are not limited to, player welfare and training programmes, governance and regulation information, grant applications, club webinars, competition updates and facilities information. 
• Actively collaborate with colleagues to contribute to the development and delivery of the current strategic, business and operational plans.
• Act as an ambassador for, and promote the best interests of the RFU, including the promotion of the RFU core values and BACK culture.
• Undertake such other duties as may be required from time to time as are consistent with the responsibilities of the post and the needs of the organization.

Person Specification

The skills and attributes outlined in this description are not exhaustive and we welcome candidates who can bring different relevant experiences to the role

Qualifications, skills & experience:

Essential:

• A proven track record in a similar customer-focused communications role, demonstrating an ability to disseminate information quickly, accurately and effectively.
• Excellent written and proof-reading skills, high standards and a keen eye for detail. 
• Ability to process a significant amount of information quickly and to distil this information into concise, easy to understand summaries for players, administrators and volunteers.
• Autonomous, comfortable working independently, as well as collaborating with the wider team.
• Expertise in delivering the right message and engaging content at the right time, tailored to the relevant audience (for example, RFU Council Members, Constituent Body representatives, club volunteers, coaches, referees, players.)
• A team player who is personable and collaborative. 
• An organised, forward planner with proven time management and prioritisation skills.
• Ability to multi-task and meet tight deadlines when required in a fast-paced environment.
• Committed to driving forward inclusion in your role and day-to-day behaviours. 

Desired: 

• Knowledge of online technology and database management systems, ideally in a sporting context.
• A good understanding of the structure of the community game in rugby union in England. 
• A sound knowledge of rugby union.
• A passion for digital content and data and the benefits it can provide to support the growth of rugby union in this country.
• An ability to develop and maintain partnerships internally and externally with the ability to influence upwards and with peers.
• Knowledge of Photoshop or Canva and competency in video editing an advantage.

Additional Information:

• All role holders must maintain an appropriate standard of confidentiality. Any disclosures of confidential information (including personal information kept on computer or other media) made unlawfully outside the proper course of duty will be treated as a serious disciplinary offence
• The role description, person specification, job level and job title may be subject to change at the discretion of the RFU and under business developments. Any changes will be communicated to the role holder as appropriate
• If you are a trans candidate applying for a job that requires a DBS check, please reach out to [email removed - click apply for more details] or directly to our safeguarding team ([email removed - click apply for more details]) to use the confidential sensitive application route. This will provide applicants with the choice not to have any gender or name information disclosed on their DBS certificate.
• During your application, we will ask questions about your identity. This information is considered highly confidential and will not be seen by hiring managers. You can find out more about why we ask these questions here.
• Please submit an ANONYMISED CV as part of your application. 

ABOUT US

About England Rugby 

England Rugby or Rugby Football Union (RFU) is the national governing body for rugby in England. We deliver three core activities, and our purpose is to enrich lives, introduce more people to rugby union and develop the sport for future generations. 

Our core activities are: 

Rugby – supporting rugby from grassroots to performance level

Commercial – building partnerships and hosting matches and events

Running the business - ensuring our organization and people can thrive 

Our Culture 

At England Rugby, one of our core objectives is to drive rugby union to better reflect the diversity of society. We are aware that rugby, and sports in general, has not always been as welcoming an environment for everyone as we would like, and we are working hard to make rugby a more inclusive space for all identities. 

We believe hiring people from underrepresented groups into positions at all levels is vital to creating spaces and initiatives that better support those identities. We would love to see applications from disabled people, LGBTQ+ people, people from ethnically diverse communities, people of faith, people from lower socio-economic backgrounds, and women and non-binary people. 

We know that representation is more than just getting people through the door, it’s about keeping people by responding to structural barriers relating to identities and valuing the insights that different lived experiences bring. We have network groups that provide peer-to-peer support and drive forward change internally. We support colleagues to develop, and each colleague has access to a personal coaching platform that can provide same-day one-to-one coaching. We are pushing ourselves to create a more inclusive culture every day through role modelling our BACK behaviours which stand for Brave, Accountable, Collaborative and Keep improving. 

We know that flexible working is important to our colleagues, so our guiding principles are designed to support everyone to work in the way that suits them, their teams, and the organization in the best way. 

We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability and potential. If there is anything we could do to support you through your application or to provide the best environment for your interviews, including assistance or adjustment, please reach out to [email removed - click apply for more details]. 

What we can offer you 

We are proud of the range of benefits we can provide: 

• Retail discounts include 30% off Adidas, 20% off Optimum Nutrition, 25% off 02 and many more
• Priority access to purchase match tickets
• 25% discount in Rugby Store and EnglandRugby.com
• 25 days of annual leave and your birthday day off
• Free dental care and free access to the stadium gym
• Life assurance of 4x your basic salary, income protection scheme and Employee Assistance Programme that offers anonymous and confidential, emotional and practical support 24/7
• After 3 months, you will be enrolled in our Aviva pension scheme and we will match and double your contribution up to 10%
• Ride-to-work scheme, eyecare vouchers and season ticket loans

About Our Team

At England Rugby, we want to hear our employees’ thoughts, ideas and feedback on our strategies, new initiatives and our work environment. That’s why we have quarterly meetings called ‘the Voice’ where various topics are discussed, in addition to regular surveys, including our annual D&I survey. We are always striving to create the best environment for our colleagues, and we are proud to present some of our most recent feedback from Feb 2022:

• 85% feel motivated to perform their role to the best of their ability
• 83% feel supported by their Manager
• 90% agree or strongly agree that their Manager empowers and trusts them to deliver while working from home
• 83% feel informed and connected with the organisation

If you would like to find out more about our diversity and inclusion work or the culture at England Rugby, please visit our website here: https://www.englandrugby.com/about-rfu/rfu-policies/diversity-and-inclusion/our-approach