External Communications Manager
What’s in it for you
• Be part of an organisation with a national profile focused on the public interest
• Work in a fast-pace environment, communicating a diverse range of interesting issues
• Manage our day to day media relations and help tell our story
About us and the role
This is a really exciting time for the legal services market. Worth £30 billion, the sector continues to grow and change rapidly. Yet it also faces challenges. For example, there are still too many people who don't use solicitors when they have a legal problem.
We regulate 170,000 solicitors and 10,400 law firms in England and Wales. And are making some significant reforms so that we continue to protect consumers, set and enforce high professional standards, and support access to affordable legal services.
If our reforms are to be effective, we need to communicate well. The primary focus of this role will be managing our day-to-day media relations work and broader communications planning. From education reform to anti-money laundering work, improving consumer information to cutting red tape, the role will offer the opportunity to communicate a diverse range of topics in an engaging way.
Reporting into the Head of External Communications, the role will have responsibility for managing two Communications Officers.
What we are looking for
• Strong media handling skills, with a track record of successful press relations
• An effective communications planner, with a good understanding of communications channels, including social media
• An accomplished writer who can turn complex ideas into engaging, accessible copy
• The ability to form good relationships and influence positively at all levels
• Good problem solving skills, with the ability to work well as a team and line manage effectively.
This role would be based primarily at our Birmingham office. However it will require some travel to our London office.
Interviews will be taking place on 11 and 12 July 2017.
To apply for this role, please submit your CV and covering letter. Please ensure that your CV and covering letter clearly demonstrate how you meet the knowledge, skills and experience requirements of the role.
Essential
Educated to degree level or equivalent.
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal - including ability to use a wide range of communication channels effectively.
Demonstrable track record of effective media relations work – both proactive and reactive.
Demonstrable track record of developing and implementing multi-channel communications plans.
Self starter, with good sense of communications risks, understanding when to take the initiative and when to seek advice.
Ability to manage and drive effective performance from staff.
Ability to build personal credibility and a rapport with staff, journalists, and stakeholders at all levels.
Ability to analyse complex issues and present information in an engaging and easy to understand way.
Skilled at using IT systems, including MS office.
Desirable
Additionally, we provide a generous flexible benefits package, including gym membership with a tax only cost, an excellent defined contribution pension scheme and an additional 3% of annual basic salary upon successful completion of probation.
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer.
Diversity and inclusion is central to everything we do. We are actively committed to promoting and participating in good practice in the way that we attract, recruit and retain staff.
Everyone is encouraged to bring their whole self to work because we appreciate the value that a truly diverse workforce brings to an organisation. We celebrate difference, recognising the benefits this brings to our inclusive culture, including age, disability, gender identity and expression, religion, race, sex, sexual orientation and socio economic background.
We are a Stonewall Top 100 Employer, a member of ENEI, a disability confident employer and we are happy to talk flexible working.
This opportunity is closed to applicants.