Head of Communications and Campaigns

Charity People is delighted to be partnering with Voice 21 to recruit for the organisation’s next Head of Communications and Campaigns.

Voice 21 is the UK’s national oracy education charity, dedicated to transforming the learning and life chances of young people through talk. The organisation works in partnership with schools to embed high-quality oracy education, working especially in schools where it can make the greatest impact. By equipping educators and students with the skills to speak, listen, and communicate effectively, Voice 21 aims to create a fairer society where every child has the oracy skills they need to thrive in school and beyond.

The Head of Communications and Campaigns will lead Voice 21’s communication, campaigns and events functions, bringing strategic vision, expertise and enthusiasm to play an integral role in ensuring all children, regardless of their background, have the oracy skills they need to thrive in school, work and life.

Contract: Permanent role

Salary: £47,362 to £50,981 plus £312 annual working from home allowance.

Location: All Voice 21 staff work remotely and this is a home-based role. Some travel is expected, both to the organisation’s London office and elsewhere for meetings, around once a month. Voice 21 pays all travel and accommodation expenses.

Hours: Voice 21 is very happy to consider applications from candidates wishing to work full time, or part time four days per week. The organisation also offers the opportunity to work a nine-day condensed fortnight.

Closing date for applications: Thursday 30th October

Interview date: first stage interviews will be held week commencing the 10th November with second round held week commencing 17th November

As Head of Communications and Campaigns, your core responsibilities will include:

• Set the vision for Communications and Campaigns across the organisation, supporting the organisation’s ambitions to expand system-wide understanding of a high-quality oracy education
• Amplify Voice 21’s reputation and standing in the sector, positioning Voice 21 as the ‘oracy authority’ through insightful, thought-provoking communications
• Work closely with the Head of Learning to ensure effective communication of the impact Voice 21’s work is having in schools across the UK
• Work collaboratively across the organisation to develop key messages for audiences, including both education and non-education stakeholders
• Lead on the refinement and maintenance of Voice 21’s brand, including visual identity and tone of voice
• Lead on the management of Voice 21’s external channels, including website and social media
• Evaluate and report on the effectiveness of Voice 21’s communications, using appropriate research and monitoring approaches
• Work closely with the Campaign Manager to oversee Voice 21’s annual campaigns, ensuring they align with our strategic objectives
• Work closely with the Events Lead to oversee Voice 21’s events programme, including Oracy October and the Great Oracy Exhibition, and the development of the events function as a cross-organisational ‘service’
• Work creatively and collaboratively across Voice 21, and with external partners, to develop new campaigns that meet strategic objectives
• Provide inspirational leadership to your team of four direct reports, prioritising their professional development and wellbeing
• Represent Communications and Campaigns on the Whole Leadership Team, contributing to organisational leadership, planning and performance management.

We’d love to hear from candidates with the following skills and experience:

• Proven leadership within either Communications or Campaigns, with a strong understanding of both
• Solid experience in the development of compelling and strategic key messages in education, public sector or non-profit settings
• Experience with monitoring, evaluation and target-setting regarding communications and campaigns
• Proven track record of writing to a high standard for external publication, such as reports, press releases, op-eds and blog posts
• Experience leading or supporting cross-functional teams
• Able to form excellent working relationships with internal and external stakeholders

We’re particularly interested in receiving applications from candidates who have the following experience, although this is not essential:

• Experience with data-driven approaches to communications, e.g. familiarity with web analytics, campaign monitoring software, etc.
• Events experience or working alongside events
• Familiarity with oracy or educational inequality agendas

Charity People is a forward thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.