Do you want to steer an organisation’s communications as it expands, working on some of the biggest issues facing the world today?
At Good Faith Partnership (GFP), we create solutions to society’s most difficult problems. Our clients are diverse and complex, from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to faith-based organisations, businesses, charities and funders. We connect businesses, governments, charities, philanthropists, foundations and communities to make lasting change - from incubating projects like the Warm Welcome campaign, helping support the Home Office’s Homes for Ukraine Scheme or co-ordinating public affairs for the Patriarch of Jerusalem in the UK, US and EU.
We are relational, ambitious, curious and solution-focused. At our core, we believe in the power of strong, unlikely relationships, to drive positive social change.
We were founded in 2016 and are at a critical juncture as we expand and grow.
We are searching for a Director of Communications to take our messaging, brand and communications to the next level, developing a clear strategy and guiding us through this next chapter, whilst also being hands-on in the day-to-day running of our communications.
Who we want on our team
The core competence of everyone in our team is the ability to build trusted relationships among people with diverse perspectives and backgrounds.
We are looking for people who are:
● Exceptional with people and committed to the power of relationships to facilitate social change
● Relational, ambitious, curious and solution-focused, aligning with our core values
● Self-starters with high levels of drive, energy and determination to build a vision from scratch
● Curious and show initiative, with problem-solving skills and an ability to learn quickly and adapt to a rapidly changing context
● Calm under pressure, and can adapt to a start-up environment
● Skilled at working in a complex environment with cross cultural, interfaith and political partners
● Willing to pitch in to help other team members if needed
● Able to connect with a wide variety of people from different countries and organisations
● Great communicators with a passion and ability to train and educate others
● Creative and open-minded
● Organised with strong time management skills
The Opportunity
GFP works on the cutting edge of today’s most important issues - from migration and interfaith work, to government policy in the UK and internationally. The Director of Communications is a new role for GFP and will be a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, working alongside project directors and reporting to the Managing Partner. As well as setting strategy and vision, the post initially requires someone to run the day-to-day communications of GFP, whilst being supported to build a wider team.
The new Director will:
● Lead the development and delivery of the communications strategy for the Warm Welcome Campaign, an award-winning network of 7000+ local organisations tackling poverty and loneliness.
● Support communications on other GFP projects in the UK and worldwide, working alongside colleagues and a network of faith leaders, businesses, charities and governments.
● Take an active role in helping the senior leadership shape the strategic direction of GFP across its key strands of faith and society, migrant inclusion and international affairs
● Develop a communications strategy and messaging to grow the voice of GFP amongst key audiences
● Help to maintain our exemplary reputation with clients and partners and build out processes to support reputational resilience
● Develop and manage a GFP press office function, including proactively securing media coverage and thought-leadership
● Envision the future of communications at GFP, building communications from the ground up
● Manage freelancers and the recruitment of new staff
● Build communications capacity and understanding amongst existing GFP staff
● Lead a brand refresh and re-design of the GFP website
● Manage a communications budget, including planning and implementation
● Have a hands-on role in writing and creation of day-to-day communications - across digital, media, website and internal comms
● Provide communications consultation directly to clients across the partnership
● Other responsibilities commensurate with the post
Skills and Experience
We are looking for candidates with the following skills and experience:
Essential
● 5+ years’ experience in a senior communications role, managing contractors and team members of differing levels
● Experience developing and implementing communications strategies, advising senior staff, and devising messaging, branding and tone
● A track record of securing press coverage in major national and international publications
● Management of digital communications projects (website design and branding refreshes) and use of digital tools (Adobe, social media scheduling platforms, MailChimp, WordPress etc.)
● Experience in managing and mitigating reputational crises
● Hands-on experience writing and producing content and documents such as press releases and blogs
● Strong ability and social skills to work collaboratively with staff at all levels and all parts of the organisation
● Ability to inspire and lead teams inside and outside of the organisation
● Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
● Excellent presentation and persuasion skills, both spoken and written
● Experience managing budgets
Desirable
● Experience working in a political or interfaith context
● Experience working on international issues
● Knowledge of relevant policy areas
At the Good Faith Partnership, we value diversity and we recognise the enormous benefits and the social imperative of bringing together diverse groups of people. We therefore warmly welcome applications from a broad range of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.
Further Details
● The Good Faith team is based mainly, but not exclusively, in London, Reading and Bristol. Applicants must be able to travel to London twice a month for Tuesday team meetings. For more information, see www.goodfaith.org.uk or find us on twitter at @goodfaith ● We are open to this role being full-time or part-time (at least 0.8 FTE), and are happy to discuss flexible working arrangements with candidates at interview.
● To apply, please send a cover letter (max 1 side of A4) which sets out why you believe you are a good fit for the role, along with a CV to info@goodfaith.org.uk by Friday 9th June 2023, 5:30pm. Please use ‘Application for Director of Communications’ in the email subject line.
● We’d be very happy to answer any specific questions relating to this role - please email us on info@goodfaith.org.uk with ‘Query for Director of Communications role’ in the email subject line and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
● If you disclose a disability during your application process and you meet the minimum criteria for the role, we will contact you to discuss any reasonable adjustment you might need at the interview. If you wish to disclose a disability please do so in your covering letter.
● All employees, volunteers, partners, suppliers and consultants working with GFP are expected to adhere to our Code of Conduct and safeguarding policies. GFP’s commitment to safeguarding means we seek to ensure that no harm comes to people as a result of contact with the organisation’s programmes, operations or people.
● Interviews for successful applications will take place week beginning 12th June