Head of Communications

Job DescriptionFarmer-led research is at the cutting edge of agri-tech innovation, and BOFIN is looking for a bright, ambitious and driven Head of Communications to transfer compelling stories from the field to the farming community. BOFIN is growing at a remarkable pace after being awarded several fascinating projects which sees the organisation working alongside some of the sharpest minds at UK research institutes and businesses developing the tools farmers will need to thrive in the future. The mission is for farmers to work with scientists to co-create the tools of the fourth agricultural revolution; reducing dependence on pesticides, displacing imported soya, non-chemical weed control and regenerative agriculture are all part of the remit already. One day you’ll be immersed in content explaining how home-grown pulses can make a huge dent in emissions from UK agriculture, and the next you’ll be writing about how the development of a digital nose to smell soil health will one day help farmers better understand the potential of their fields. One of your first duties will be to play an instrumental role in launching a new platform to introduce gene-edited crops to commercial UK farms for the first time. Your work will be varied, challenging and rewarding, and you will be instrumental to the development of BOFIN as it grows into a business that’s integral to UK agri-tech. A sharp eye for a story and a love of writing will be innate, and this role will generate endless opportunities to show your creative spark. Overseeing the production of editorial content, creating promotional material and maintaining important relationships throughout the industry bring variety and vibrance to the role. This is an opportunity to join an innovative, fast-moving business which offers diversity and the freedom to shape a communications strategy to support the amazing work of scientists, academics, entrepreneurs and farmers in their mission to take farming into a new dimension. There’s a salary of up to £55,000 (DOE) and flexible hours and conditions on offer, and hybrid working between home and BOFIN’s headquarters in Faringdon, Oxfordshire.Responsibilities:• Management and delivery of BOFIN’s communications commitments within all current projects• Assisting Managing Director in developing BOFIN’s communications strategy and its offering, and in developing plans for future clients• Co-ordinating press liaison, including placing features, briefing freelancers as necessary, editing copy and managing approvals process, and working with Community Manager to deliver content• Developing compelling content including articles, knowledge guides, case studies, and videos to showcase BOFIN’s projects linking in closely with the Project Manager to ensure this corresponds with project deliverables• Writing and editing copy, including features and press releases and arranging interviews, working with Community Manager for content and approvals• Writing and editing knowledge exchange literature, including case studies, briefing freelancers as necessary and briefing design studio, working with Community Manager on final delivery• Deciding content of events, then helping with delivery, working with the Project Manager and Community Manager• Oversight of social media, video and podcast content, including advising Community Manager on tone, messaging and actions• Assisting Community Manager with direct communications to BOFIN members and on webinar and website content, working with Project Manager to ensure delivery of project plans• Represent BOFIN at events, conferences and meetings; provide comment and/or interviews to press; work with Managing Director to engage stakeholders and with Community Manager to engage farmers and BOFIN members• Reporting to Managing Director and project partners on delivery and progress of communications planEssential skills:• You must have excellent communication skills, including accomplished writing ability, and be happy talking to farmers, press, scientists and the wider general public.• You must be able to demonstrate a good technical understanding of farming, of on-farm and agricultural research, particularly in broad-acre crops.• You should demonstrate the ability to identify newsworthy stories, understand how they resonate with a target audience, how they deliver value to the reader and further understanding of novel, complex and/or controversial issues.• You should have good organisational skills and demonstrate you can work to deadlines.• You must be proficient in basic Office 365 tools including (but not limited to) Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.• You must be able to work both as part of a small team and in isolation on tasks.Desirable skills:• Press liaison, particularly with the agricultural press, and familiarity with channels of communication and how to use them.• Proven ability to convey complex scientific principles to non-scientific audiences.• Active on social media and forums through your current profession.• Experience facilitating workshops, planning events and presenting at events.• Experience managing staff, engaging and briefing freelancersBenefits• Competitive salary (up to £55,000 p/a depending on skills, experience and availability).• Flexible working hours; opportunity as part-time role.• Hybrid working available – can work from home with occasional travel required. BOFIN is based at Faringdon, Oxfordshire.If you would like to apply, please send your CV with a covering letter to Tom Allen-Stevens (#####) by 15 April 2024.
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