Communications Manager

Job Reference tbigc/TP/5126/393

This job has been closed.

Number of Positions:
1
Contract Type:
Permanent/Full Time
Contract Details:
Ongoing
Salary:
Competitive
Working Hours:
35 Hours per week
Location:
London
Closing Date:
11/11/2021
Seniority level:
External Relations
Company Industry:
External Relations
Job Function:
United Kingdom

Job Introduction

When governments work effectively they create economic and social change in a way that promotes fairness, social justice and opportunity. We work to support leaders and governments with the challenges they face. Giving them progressive policy ideas and practical solutions that can be transformative for their people. Developing creative impactful communications strategies are a key part of delivering success.

The TBI communications teams comprises specialists across all typical comms functions - design, editorial, media relations, strategic planning, digital, direct marketing, publishing.  We are seeking a talented individual with exceptional communications skills to join our Policy Communications Team, working to support the promotion of our wide-ranging UK policy agenda.   This newly created role is an opportunity to use your extensive skills and experience in media relations, strategic planning and creative content development.

You’ll have a flexible approach, a can-do attitude and excellent relationship management skills. You may have experience in central government, public affairs or journalism and will have established relationships with media.  You’ll be a proactive and motivated communications professional who has a passion for producing impactful comms. 

If you want to put your strategic comms and media relations skills to work to work in a rewarding, high-profile non for profit organisation then this is the job for you.

Key Responsibilities

  • Support the Director of Policy Communications in promoting the work of the UK policy team, as part of the wider organisational objectives
  • Grow relationships with key media across national and regional political, specialists and trades to reach exisiting and new audiences
  • Increase TBI media coverage/mentions and reach on UK domestic policy issues, including promoting new reports and papers and identifying opportunities to raise expert profiles, thought leadership
  • Work closely with colleagues across the communications and external relations team – social, design, editorial, media relations, digital, fundraising  and stakeholder relations - to develop a broader engagement strategy across all channels, including identifying opportunities for partnerships
  • Help improve systems to gather insight and evaluate effectiveness, working with comms colleagues and the TBI Impact Team
  • Work collaboratively to build effective relationships with key stakeholders in the Institute and partner organisations
  • Identify and flag risks and prepare mitigating action
  • Act as an effective ambassador for the communications team in all interactions

Person Specification

  • A talented, collaborative and creative individual with at least 5 years’ experience of developing effective communication strategies and media relations
  • Exceptional knowledge of the communications landscape and how to best identify, reach and engage audiences using a range of tools, techniques and channels
  • Clear understanding of setting project objectives, gathering insight and KPIs
  • Experience of designing effective evaluation for campaign strategies with evidence of strong planning and project management skills
  • A track record of successful media relations and networks
  • The confidence to brief exisiting media contacts and identify and build effective relationships with new contacts and outlets
  • The ability to work in a high-pressure environment manging often competing agendas and priorities with a proactive, can-do attitude
  • The ability to work with a diverse range of people, specialists within the comms team who you won’t line manage directly but will need to work with to get the job done and ‘clients’ from across the organisation with varying expectation for what good comms looks like
  • Good political understanding and knowledge of what makes news
  • A keen interest in the work of TBI, our mission and values

The role won’t initially have line management responsibilities but some experience of people management is desirable as the team grows. 

About The Institute

The Tony Blair Institute (TBI) is a mission-driven not for profit organisation. We exist to equip political leaders and governments to build open, inclusive and prosperous societies. We work hard, every day, to make a difference. When governments work well they are able to create economic and social change in a way that promotes fairness, social justice and opportunity. We work relentlessly to support leader and governments with the challenges they face. Giving them practical solutions and actionable insights, that once implemented, can be transformative for their people  

We do this within two connected divisions: 

 Government Advisory 

Our Advisory Practice works directly with political leaders and governments around the world to implement reforms that improve the lives of their citizens. It has both non-profit partners and a client base and its outputs cover a range of disciplines and projects across countries in Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and South Asia. We are currently in a rapid expansion phase from c. 18 countries at present, to 30 by December 2022.

 Policy Futures 

Our Policy Futures work encompasses three broad areas: 

  • Renewing the Centre: developing a bold and innovative domestic policy programme to help renew the centre ground of British politics; 
  • Tech and Public Policy: exploring the policy challenges and opportunities presented by the technological revolution; and 
  • Extremism Policy Unit: creating solutions designed to tackle the threat of extremist ideologies in the UK and around the world. 

As an organisation, the core beliefs we all embrace are: 

  • Open and Progressive: you’ll believe in the value of teamwork 
  • Bold and Pragmatic: you’ll approach everything you do with integrity and authenticity 
  • Optimistic Changemaker: you’ll be focused on results 

TBI believes embracing diversity and inclusion make us a better place to work.  It’s our goal to reflect everyone in society and we actively welcome applications from individuals and groups who are under-represented in the workplace. We celebrate difference be it ethnicity, religion, age, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation or disability. We will only ever assess you on your abilities and fit for a role. We’re happy to discuss any adjustments you need to ensure a level playing field during recruitment and, if you\'re successful, discuss any adjustments you might need to thrive in your role.