Head of Communications, ShareAction

Head of Communications

Contract type: Permanent, full time
Who it reports to:Director of Development, Communications and Engagement
Salary:£59,827.56 - £64,678.44+ 8% pension contribution (We usually offer a starting salary at the start of the range)
Deadline for applications: Monday 28th April at 9:00 a.m.Interview dates:first interviews online in the week of 5th May, with second interviews the following week.

Company Description

ShareAction is an independent charity and an expert on responsible investment. We work to build a world where the financial system serves our planet and its people. We set ambitious standards for how financial institutions, through their investment decisions, can protect our planet and its people and campaign for this approach to become the norm. We convene shareholders to collectively push companies to tackle climate crisis, protect nature, improve workers' rights and shape healthier societies. In the UK and EU, we advocate for financial regulation that has society's best interests at its core.

Position

What you'll do(key responsibilities)

Leading our communications team, the Head of Communications is responsible for strategic and tactical communications activity at ShareAction, covering both traditional media and our digital team.

The role is key to ensuring our visibility, our thought leadership and promoting our campaigning activity. Today's news agenda is moving increasingly fast and this role will be critical to ensuring that we keep on top of developments, and the opportunities and risks that these present.

Our Head of Communications will lead the team to business partner with all functions of ShareAction, from campaigning on the European banking sector to policy advocacy and our presence at AGMs.

A usual week will see you scanning the landscape, advising on reputation and positioning on emerging issues as well as overseeing the delivery of tactical media and digital outputs.

As part of this role, you will regularly be engaging with journalists and others in the media landscape using your skills to ensure coverage, enhance our reputation and influence the financial sector and real world companies. You will help ShareAction work towards our vision by positioning us as a voice of authority and a highly effective campaigning organization.

If this role sounds like something that would build on your current skill set and engage you, we'd love to hear from you!

Requirements

What you'll bring to the team

We want to hear from you if you have experience across media and digital communications and particularly in strategic communications. It's right for someone with skills in narrative building, a keen eye on avoiding jargon and communicating technical language clearly and succinctly.

We think this role would suit someone who has previous experience in a campaigning communications role and who enjoys telling powerful stories.

While we hope we'll find someone with the majority of these skills and experience, we're keen to hear from you, even if you don't have them all. We appreciate lots of skills are transferable and we welcome opportunities to explore different ways of achieving our goals.

We have a formal hybrid working policy in place, and the communications team meets in the office on at least a weekly basis. As a team that works across the organisation, we acknowledge the value of spending time with colleagues from across the organisation in person. There is, therefore, an expectation that you will be able to attend the office or meetings on a regular basis.

What we will do for you

We are a fast-paced organisation that has grown substantially over the past few years. We recognise that our people work hard to advocate for responsible investment and drive meaningful engagement with those who have the power to create a brighter future. Every day they bring their expertise, passion and persistence to build a world where the financial system serves our people and planet. We want to ensure we provide the right environment for our colleagues to thrive and we are committed to improving our employee offer where possible.

Currently we are pleased to offer:

• Commitment to flexible working; over 60% of our employees have some sort of flexible working arrangement in place.
• Hybrid working; we are committed to supporting our staff to work in a way that suits their lifestyle and meets the requirements of their role.
• Internal promotion and development opportunities; we offer a range of ways to improve your skills and focus on what you love, including promotion, secondment, or sideways development opportunities. For some levels of roles, we also offer direct progression.
• Opportunity to help make a difference; we tackle some of the world's biggest social and environmental challenges. We offer opportunities for you to develop your skills and experience in a friendly, flexible and supportive working environment.
• Unionised work environment; our staff have the opportunity to join the union, and are supported by our recognised union, Unite. We regularly consult and negotiate with our employees on workplace matters ranging from working conditions to pay.
• Regular in-person meetings; including all-staff away days, retreats and directorate strategy days to create connected teams.
• 8% non-contributory pension; invested with NEST and their green funds.
• Healthcare plan; with Bupa.
• Employee assistance programme; advice and support, lifestyle discounts and short-term counselling.
• Death in Service cover of 3x salary.
• 25 days' annual leave (increasing with length of service) plus office closure at the end of the year; ensuring everyone gets time to switch off together.
• Enhanced family leave pay; up to 18 weeks' paid at 90% for either parent.
• Enhanced sick pay; starting at 5 weeks' full pay from day 1.
• Season ticket loan and cycle to work scheme.