Director of Communications

Job Description
Job description
Job title:
Director of Communications
Salary
: £80k+ dependent on experience (full time, permanent)
Location:
London (hybrid)
To apply, please email a cover letter and CV to ##### by
Friday 7
th
June
.
Background
The role of Director of Communications at the Publishers Association is one of the most influential of its kind in the publishing sector. The role holder oversees strategic communications for one of the UK’s leading industries – one with an engaging and important story to tell.
Being proactive and energetic about promoting the value of publishing through strategic communications and campaigns is vital.
The role has a small team of people reporting to them and significant resource at their disposal. It involves working closely with the policy and public affairs and legal teams in a highly collaborative way.
The Director of Communications reports into CEO Dan Conway and has close relationships with the Director of Policy and Public Affairs, the Officers of the Association and Council members.
Dan describes the working environment at the Publishers Association as follows:
“The Publishers Association is full of bright, driven, creative people with strong views and people who succeed here share a continuous desire to work hard and support one another.
“It’s a fun environment with new challenges every day. We work with so many stakeholders, and keeping everyone happy can be challenging, but that’s what makes it exciting and rewarding.
“It’s an extraordinary industry to work in, bringing wonderful books, journals and educational content to our readers that provide them with comfort, learning and insight into the world around them.”
Other information
This role is based at the Publishers Association’s office in London. The site is in London Bridge near Borough Market. Hybrid working is now standard with two ‘core’ office days Monday-Wednesday.
Purpose of the Role
The Director of Communications oversees strategic communications for the publishing industry. They are responsible for all aspects of the association’s external communications, developing integrated communications and campaign strategies and ensuring their successful implementation, execution and evaluation. The post holder is part of the association’s senior management team, reporting into the CEO and managing relevant team members, external providers and budgets.
Key responsibilities
Lead the communications elements outlined in the association’s business plan, including monitoring, reporting and evaluation.
Oversee and develop the industry narrative and aligned communications strategies to promote the value of publishers and the UK publishing industry.
Develop and implement proactive and reactive communications plans on key industry issues and provide strategic counsel on reputational issues.
Ensure consistent branding, narrative and presentation across all communications outputs and materials including the Publishers Association website.
Manage effective external communications outputs including media relations, events and digital communications.
Manage effective communication of the Publishers Association’s work to its members.
Support the function and output of key member groups and give strategic communications advice to the membership and Council.
Build and maintain contact with lead editors, section editors and journalists across the trade media and national media, ensuring the organisation is the media’s first port of call on issues of relevance to UK publishers and the publishing industry.
Effectively line manage and support relevant roles within the communications team.
Commission work and lead relationships with relevant external providers and agencies.
Person Specification
Essential
Exceptional communication skills (written and oral)
Adept at working with the media, members and key audiences to further the organisation’s interests.
High level of curiosity and intellect which can be applied to the wide-ranging and complex issues associated with publishing.
Ability to remain calm under pressure, working to tight deadlines while exercising sound judgment and maintaining attention to detail.
Significant experience of line management, budgetary management and advising senior staff on communications.
Highly developed decision-making skills and ability to build consensus.
Energy, enthusiasm, commitment and proven ability to effectively lead and motivate people.
Desirable
Deep knowledge of the UK media landscape.
Full understanding of digital media and relevant communications tools.
Knowledge of the publishing sector and belief in the value of the creative industries and education and research sectors.
To apply, please email a cover letter and CV to ##### by
Friday 7
th
June.
About us
The Publishers Association is the member organisation for UK publishing, representing companies of all sizes and specialisms. Our members produce digital and print books, research journals and educational resources across genres and subjects. We exist to champion publishing to the wider world and provide our members with everything they need to thrive.