Assistant Director Strategic Communications
Assistant Director Strategic Communications
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Job Description
JOB DESCRIPTION
Reports to: Chief Executive
The Assistant Director for Strategic Communications is responsible for providing strategic communications support to the Chief Executive and Corporate Leadership Team along with overall leadership of EAs Communications Team. The postholder will lead a team across a range of areas including media management public affairs internal communications and will hold a range of Assistant Director level duties and responsibilities.
This Assistant Director for Strategic Communications role includes the delivery of the following three high level responsibilities along with providing overall leadership to the directorate fostering a culture of improvement and engagement.
Strategic Leadership and Planning: Formulate and execute a strategic plan for shaping the narrative on the services we provide across Northern Ireland and along with promoting transparency and service user participation.
Championing Excellence and Innovation: Drive initiatives for continuous improvement in managing communication lines throughout the directorates.
Stakeholder Engagement and Public Relations: Engage with key stakeholder groups on EA Communicationrelated matters.
Key Areas of Focus
- Developing and articulating a clear vision for the role of communications in EA.
- Provide leadership on the development and implementation of strategies which drive improvements to the delivery of our communications service.
- Responsible for relationshipbuilding with schools and parents.
The Assistant Director for Strategic Communications will be responsible for the strategic delivery of the following.
- Creating and implementing strategies and initiatives that aim to raise awareness of the organisations impact successes and results.
- Fostering relationships with external partners to leverage opportunities for growth and collaboration.
- Developing and managing the implementation of the organisations internal and external communications strategy.
- Setting out the strategic communications direction establishing priorities and raising the profile of EA.
- Understanding the most effective ways to influence within the context that EA works and the resources available.
- Developing and overseeing a cohesive and integrated strategic communications strategy and framework.
- Elevating protecting and enhancing EAs profile and reputation ensuring clear consistent and impactful messaging that resonates with our stakeholders and drives our organisational priorities.
- Work closely with the Chief Executive and Corporate Leadership Team to develop and deliver the organisations public affairs strategy to extend our influence public profile and achieve our policy and public affairs objectives.
- Work with the Department of Education and other key employers and partners to support and coordinate external messaging and communications.
- Proactive management of risk in all areas of strategic communications.
- Contribute to the successful delivery of key events including conferences forums and learning events supporting the work of our Corporate Leadership Team to engage our network and stakeholders.
- Report to the Chief Executive and the Board on the impact learning and outcomes of external relations and media activity as required.
- Providing reports and advice to the Board and Committees as requested by the Chief Executive.
- Utilise strategic communications expertise to support EAs strategic objectives and the work of our Chief Executive to raise the organisations profile.
- Work collectively with Senior Leadership Team colleagues providing expert advice challenge and support.
- Overall accountability for the delivery of professional communications services across EA.
Other
- Any other duties related to the role which may be required from timetotime by the Chief Executive and the Board.
- In accordance with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 be expected to promote Good Relations Equality of Opportunity and pay due regard for Equality Legislation at all times.
This job description will be subject to review in light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. The Corporate Leadership Team is currently reviewing its structure. It is likely that other roles and responsibilities will be assigned as a result of the review.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Candidates must demonstrate on their application form that they meet the following essential criteria.
A minimum of three years experience of providing strategic leadership within a large and complex environment to develop and deliver a vision and plan to deliver the best possible outcomes for its service users.
Large and complex environment is defined as an organisation with a budget over 100m and with a multidisciplinary workforce.
Experience of working collectively across a senior leadership team to deliver strategic alignment of purpose vision and goals and optimise use of the organisations resources to deliver maximum value for the public/customers.
Experience of providing overarching leadership with evidence of empowering championing excellence and establishing momentum for continuous improvement that has delivered improved outcomes for the public/customers.
The successful candidate should also be a strong communicator with proven skills to engage across a wide range of stakeholders demonstrating successful impact.
Demonstrates an understanding of the potential along with the challenges of delivering high quality effective communications support to the Chief Executive and senior team.
Application Form
Presentation
Interview
The successful candidate will be required:
to have access to a suitable vehicle (appropriately maintained and insured for Education Authority business) that will enable them to carry out the mobility requirements of the post in an efficient and effective manner and thus meet this essential criterion;
OR
be able to provide sufficient information on the application form that will satisfy the employer that he/she has access to an appropriate alternative form of transport that will enable them to carry out the mobility requirements of the post in an efficient and effective manner and thus meet this essential criterion.
Application Form
Our Values
Through the selection process we will also seek evidence that the personal values of candidates align with those of the EA. This will include evidence of commitment to equality and excellence in service delivery. These reflect our aim which is to meet the needs of all our children and young people equally removing barriers to learning and ensuring equality of access to excellent education services so that every child can develop to his or her full potential.
DISCLOSURE OF CRIMINAL BACKGROUND
The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 defines working directly with children or young people or in specified places as regulated activity.
In the event that you are recommended for appointed to a post that involves regulated activity the Education Authority will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background.Please note that youWILLbe expected to meet the cost of an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate. Details of how to make payment will be sent to you at the preemployment stage.
Further information can be accessed atNI Director theDepartment of Justice.
APPLICANT GUIDANCE NOTES
To view the applicant guidance notes please clickhere.
To learn about the many great benefits of joining the Education Authority click here
The Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer.
Required Experience:
Director
Employment Type
Full Time
