Communications Manager

Background information

The Community Transport Association

The CTA is a UK-wide charity that provides leadership, learning and support to member organisations and community transport operators throughout the voluntary sector, who in turn deliver services to meet the transport needs of vulnerable individuals and isolated communities.

We represent the voice of the community transport sector to the UK's governments and to other major stakeholders, highlighting the value and importance of community transport and the issues which need to be tackled if the sector's potential is to be realised.

We promote excellence by providing a range of services and support, including advice, training, on-line resources, publications, consultancy, events and project support for voluntary, community and accessible transport.

Our main UK office is in Greater Manchester and we have teams working in offices in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. We employ 24 staff, led by our new CEO, Bill Freeman who joined CTA in the summer.

The Communications Manager role

This is a brand new position within CTA, created to bring about a step change in the planning and delivery of communications in relation to both our public affairs work and marketing.

The post will report to the Director of Finance and Central Services and work closely with all members of the senior leadership and management to make sure we are being strategic and structured in our approach to communications. Early priorities will be evaluating all the channels and tools through which people connect with CTA and reviewing our methods for gathering intelligence and insights from the membership network.

Whilst being responsible for significant elements of communications delivery we want the post to support everyone else inside the organisation to improve how they promote their work and engage key audiences. You will also support other processes within the organisation, such as supporting business planningto ensure communications are considered at the initial stages of product development.

A key facet of the role will also be building relationships with sector press and relevant sections of mainstream media and with communications staff in like-minded organisations to enable better sharing of information and resources.

Summary of terms and conditions

Initial salary offer will be in the region of £30k per annum. The post will be offered as a permanent contract with additional benefits and a flexible approach to managing time and work.

The post will be based at our office in Hyde, Greater Manchester. We are less than a ten minute walk from regular train services from central Manchester and very close to major roads with good access from neighbouring towns and areas such as Cheshire and Derbyshire.

How to apply

  • Please read the job description and person specification and decide whether the scope of the role is a strong enough match for you.
  • You must complete the application form and monitoring form that accompanied this document and return it to us by the deadline.
  • All forms must be completed electronically and submitted as an attachment to an email as outlined at the beginning of the form.
  • The deadline for applications is midday on 18 October 2013 and interviews will take place on either 24 or 25 October.
  • If you have any questions about the process or would like to talk to someone about the role before applying please contact Tracy on 0161 351 1475 initially to arrange for a Director to call you.

Communications Manager

Job Description

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Accountable to:Director of Finance and Central Services

Location:Hyde, Greater Manchester

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Job Summary

To lead on all aspects of communications and marketing activity within the Association working across the organisation to ensure that the CTA’s brand, corporate image and key messages are applied appropriately and consistently for the wide range of audiences with which we communicate.

Job Activities

1Strategy: Develop the CTA’s communication and marketing strategy and plans, obtaining approval from the Board and Management Team as required ensuring the effective implementation and evaluation. To include effective communications with our wide range of stakeholders and across the whole range of communication channels used by the CTA including print, online and social media.

2Press and publicity: Promote the work of the Association to all key stakeholders including funders, current and potential members, and the general public. Draft compelling and quality copy for press releases and other communications media, and develop relationships with key press contacts, in order to promote the work of the Association and that of our members.

3Member development: Be responsible for all mass communications with our members, including the development of membership promotional materials. Work with colleagues to develop the member benefits programme and promote this effectively to members. Complete regular surveys of the membership and influence the development of member relationships accordingly.

4CTA Journal: Project manage the production of the quarterly CTA journal including agreeing and meeting production deadlines, planning content, and securing contributors from both within and outside the organisation.

5The CTA brand: Develop and maintain our brand guidelines and proactively support colleagues in implementing them, as well as providing support and advice to staff on all brand and marketing activities.

6Support for projects, events and services: Develop marketing communication plans for key projects, events and services, in conjunction with appropriate members of the Management Team.

7Website: Work alongside the Information and Communications Technology Officer to continually develop the Association’s website from both a technical and a content perspective. Work across the Association to identify and develop the website, including writing copy and designing content.

8Budgets: Develop and maintain marketing and communications budgets including monitoring spend against budget and effectiveness of spend.

Communications Manager

Person specification

The person specification highlights the attributes that are considered to be essential and desirable for fulfilling this post. The person specification also highlights at which stages in the recruitment process each specific criterion will be assessed.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA / Application form / Interview / Test
Experience
Demonstrable experience of developing and implementing marketing and communications plans and activities across a wide range of channels, with measureable results. /  / 
Evidence of creative thinking and the ability to think laterally and innovatively when designing communication and marketing activities. /  /  / 
Experience in drafting and editing copy for internal and external communications and websites. /  /  / 
Skills
Ability to understand complex issues and explain them clearly to others. /  / 
Ability to use Microsoft Office applications (or equivalent) and appropriate design/communications software to a high standard. /  / 
Highly developed and effective communication skills, both verbally and in writing, with the ability to adapt styles to meet the needs of and influence different audiences. /  / 
Excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to develop and maintain positive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders and partners. /  / 
Knowledge
Understanding of the press, media and other communications networks that national third sector organisations utilise. /  / 
Understanding of the third sector, its ethos and its relationships with government. /  / 
Knowledge of the devolved governmental structure developing around the UK. /  / 
ESSENTIAL CRITERIA (continued) / Application form / Interview / Test
Personal attributes
Able to work at pace, with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail. /  / 
Proven ability to project manage own workload, including effective prioritisation and meeting deadlines. / 
Able to work effectively under pressure with minimal supervision. / 
A flexible approach to work and the ability to travel throughout the UK if required. / 
DESIRABLE CRITERIA / Application form / Interview / Test
Experience of the voluntary sector, particularly working with Community Transport. /  / 
Knowledge of passenger/community transport policy issues. /  / 
Good understanding of current government policy initiatives. /  / 
Experience of managing own/departmental budget and negotiating supplier contracts. /  / 
Recognised qualification relevant to the scope of the role. / 
Experience of developing an organisation-wide social media strategy. /  / 
Date: 30 September 2013 / Page 1 of 6