Job Title: Director of Communications
Reporting To: Secretary-General
Location: London, SW1Y 5HX
Type: Temporary contract until 30 November, with the possibility of extension
Salary: £75.50 per hour
Mode: Hybrid | Minimum 2 -3 days onsite
Please note: This role is subject to a satisfactory DBS check, which will be required prior to appointment to be obtained by the candidate.
As part of the process, reference checks will also be required from the candidate’s three most recent employers, upon confirmation of appointment.
The Client is an intergovernmental organisation representing independent and equal sovereign member states.
It works to support its members and presents official pan-organisational views and perspectives with impact, tact and political sensitivity.
The Communications Division is responsible for leading the organisation's media, public relations, digital communications and information dissemination activities.
The successful candidate will provide strategic leadership to the Communications Division and play a key role in shaping the organisation's public profile, media strategy and external communications.
The Director of Communications will provide strategic leadership for the Client's Communications Division, developing and implementing an effective media and communications strategy that supports the organisation's strategic objectives and protects its reputation.
The role will provide high-level media and public relations advice to the Secretary-General and senior leadership, while acting as the official spokesperson for the Client and Secretary-General.
The successful candidate will be responsible for leading the Communications Division, managing media relationships, overseeing digital engagement and ensuring that the Client's messages are communicated effectively to member governments, the media, specialist audiences, young people and the wider public.
The role will also involve representing the Client at high-profile international meetings and events, including major Commonwealth-related conferences and meetings.
- Develop, implement and regularly evaluate the Client's external communications and media strategy.
- Provide rapid and strategic media advice to the Secretary-General, senior management and relevant teams.
- Develop effective approaches to communicating the Client's priorities, policies, achievements and perspectives.
- Ensure communications activity is aligned with the Client's strategic plan and organisational objectives.
- Identify opportunities to strengthen the Client's profile and influence across international media.
- Act as the official spokesperson for the Client and the Secretary-General.
- Represent the Client publicly across broadcast, print, digital and other media channels.
- Provide clear, authoritative and politically sensitive responses on behalf of the organisation.
- Act as Conference Spokesperson during major Commonwealth meetings and events where required.
- Represent the Client at official meetings, public diplomacy events and other high-profile engagements.
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with senior editors, correspondents, broadcasters and other media contacts across the Commonwealth and internationally.
- Establish and maintain senior-level relationships with member governments, international organisations, civil society organisations and other stakeholders.
- Provide strategic advice on media outreach and public relations activities.
- Identify and brief relevant political and international media on sensitive or significant issues.
- Oversee media engagement during major international meetings and events.
- Provide senior-level leadership during communications and reputational crises.
- Rapidly assess emerging media and reputational risks and advise senior leadership on appropriate responses.
- Develop and approve briefing lines for sensitive, political or high-profile issues.
- Ensure consistent, accurate and timely messaging across all relevant communications channels.
- Support senior leadership through high-pressure and time-sensitive media situations.
- Oversee the preparation, quality and distribution of media releases and official statements.
- Lead the drafting and placement of opinion pieces, press releases and other external communications.
- Support the Secretary-General and senior management with speeches, statements, briefing documents and other public-facing materials.
- Ensure communications are clear, accurate, compelling and appropriate for the intended audience.
- Maintain high editorial standards across all communications outputs.
- Oversee the Client's digital engagement strategy.
- Provide strategic direction for the organisation's website and social media channels.
- Ensure digital content is timely, relevant, engaging and aligned with the Client's wider communications strategy.
- Identify opportunities to increase digital reach, engagement and impact.
- Monitor emerging digital communications trends and platforms.
- Provide strategic leadership to the Communications Division.
- Set priorities and provide direction for the Division's day-to-day activities.
- Lead, motivate and develop communications professionals to maximise the Division's impact.
- Build the capability and expertise of the Communications team.
- Manage staff performance and promote a culture of excellence, collaboration and continuous development.
- Establish clear objectives and monitor progress against agreed outcomes.
- Manage the human and financial resources of the Communications Division.
- Ensure communications activities are delivered within agreed budgets, timelines and quality standards.
- Allocate resources effectively in line with strategic priorities.
- Assess communications requirements and recommend appropriate investment in people, technology and external support.
- Establish and maintain effective relationships with senior stakeholders across member governments and international organisations.
- Represent the Client at international meetings, conferences and public diplomacy events.
- Travel internationally where required to support the Client's communications and media objectives.
- Build the organisation's reputation and influence through effective external engagement.
- Postgraduate academic qualification and/or substantial professional experience relevant to communications, public relations, journalism, media or international relations.
The successful candidate should demonstrate:
- At least 15 years' experience in senior management, including substantial experience within international media.
- At least 10 years' experience in international media roles.
- Experience working as a Press/Special Adviser to a senior government minister or equivalent senior political figure.
- Professional journalism experience with a national media organisation.
- Significant senior-level crisis communications and crisis management experience.
- Experience working with the UK political lobby or equivalent political media environment.
- Established relationships with senior journalists, editors and major news organisations.
- Strong international, including UK, media experience.
- Experience managing digital communications, websites and social media.
- Experience managing or leading a large press office or communications function.
- Excellent written communication skills, with the ability to rapidly produce high-quality press releases, opinion pieces, statements and briefing materials.
- Exceptional verbal communication and public speaking skills.
- Ability to brief confidently across broadcast, print, online and social media.
- Strong media handling skills, particularly in sensitive or politically complex situations.
- Ability to communicate complex issues clearly to different audiences.
- Strong political awareness and judgement.
- Provides clear vision and strategic direction.
- Inspires and develops high-performing teams.
- Leads effectively through complexity and organisational change.
- Provides senior-level professional advice on strategic issues.
- Creates opportunities for staff development and professional growth.
- Communicates clearly and consistently at all levels.
- Builds trust with senior stakeholders, including government representatives and senior officials.
- Can influence and advise senior decision-makers effectively.
- Maintains strong communication across internal and external stakeholders.
- Plans and manages complex communications programmes.
- Assesses major activities and emerging issues at a strategic level.
- Balances organisational priorities with the interests and objectives of member states.
- Can interpret incomplete or ambiguous information and make sound judgements.
- Identifies emerging risks and opportunities.
- Makes confident, informed strategic decisions.
- Demonstrates sound judgement under significant time pressure.
- Can make critical decisions with limited information.
- Takes ownership of decisions and leads by example.
- Provides appropriate corrective action when dealing with organisation-wide issues.
- Protects and enhances the reputation of the Client.
- Demonstrates strong ethical standards and professional integrity.
- Represents the Client's values consistently.
- Works effectively with people from diverse cultural, professional and national backgrounds.
- Treats all individuals with dignity, fairness and respect.
Success in the role will be demonstrated through:
- Effective implementation of the Client's media and communications strategy.
- Strong and trusted relationships with international and UK media.
- Effective representation of the Client and Secretary-General.
- High-quality and timely media responses.
- Successful management of high-profile and sensitive communications issues.
- Increased impact and engagement across digital and social media channels.
- Strong leadership and development of the Communications Division.
- Effective management of communications resources and budgets.
- Consistent and compelling communication of the Client's priorities, achievements and perspectives.
- Protection and enhancement of the Client's international reputation.
