Head of Communications

The Girls' Day School Trust (GDST) is the UK's leading family of 25 independent girls' schools including two academies, educating 20,000 students and employing 4,000 staff. In all of our schools, academic excellence is a given - but more than that, at the GDST we develop passions and character beyond the curriculum. Our mission is to help girls learn without limits so that they go on to lead lives without limits. The GDST is widely recognised to be a pioneer and shaper of the future of girls' education through our groundbreaking research and as a founder member of the International Coalition of Girls' Schools.

To support in our next phase of development we are recruiting for an experienced Head of Communications to help us achieve our aim of 'reaching as many girls as possible' by communicating key messages, promoting the benefits of a GDST education, and articulating the core values that drive our growing family of schools: Girls First; Fearless; Forward Thinking; Family; Fulfilled.

The Head of Communications is a senior leadership role reporting directly to the Director of Marketing & Engagement. The role is responsible for leading the Trust's central communications team and working collaboratively with marketing and communications teams based in each of our schools. Responsibilities include:

1. Developing and leading the communications strategy for the GDST and our 25 schools.
2. Managing the reputation of the GDST with all stakeholders.
3. Developing the brand voice and core messaging hierarchy, ensuring our narrative is consistent and compelling across all channels.
4. Leading on all issues and crisis communication activities.
5. Overseeing communications from the CEO and Trust Office based departments.
6. Leading external communications across media and owned communication channels.

The successful candidate will bring significant experience in a leadership position within a fast-paced and high-profile communications team. You will have extensive understanding of strategic communications campaigns, news agendas, and digital communications, including measuring effectiveness, and demonstrate effective leadership skills having managed a communications function in previous roles. You will bring experience of working with a wide range of stakeholders and providing guidance to senior leaders. In addition, you will have strong experience managing crisis communications and bring a passion for the GDST mission.

The GDST is partnering with Prospectus, a specialist recruitment consultancy, to recruit for this vacancy. To apply please submit your CV and a two-page supporting statement, preferably in Microsoft Word/PDF format. The statement should outline your motivation for joining the GDST and why you feel you would be a good fit for this role. You should also demonstrate your experience and skillset with examples relating to the Person Specification in the Job Pack. If you have any further questions or would like to know more about this opportunity please contact Steven Fraser from Prospectus via .

As a specialist Recruitment Practice, Prospectus are committed to building inclusive and diverse organisations, and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Prospectus invest in your journey as a candidate and are committed to supporting you in your application.