Communications Manager - 1 year fixed-term contract

WSET's purpose is to empower people through inspiring learning experiences all over the world. We offer a comprehensive suite of globally recognised qualifications covering wines, spirits, sake and, from early next year, beer.

We are the world s leading provider of drinks education, delivering over 140,000 exams each year to candidates in over 70 countries via our network of Approved Programme Providers (APPs).

The successful applicant will contribute to a culture of integrity, empowerment, dynamism, and inclusivity within WSET.

Any offer of employment or your ongoing employment is conditional upon the successful completion of a thorough background check by an independent third party.

NB - If you currently work for one of WSET's APPs, you may not be eligible to apply for this role subject to your future career plans and the nature of that role. If you work for an APP either in a self-employed or employed capacity and would like to discuss your eligibility, please contact the hiring manager.

This is an exciting role for a dynamic Communications Manager with a passion for drinks education to make a real impact. It will suit a highly organised individual with experience in driving forward and implementing communications strategies across a global organisation.

This is a one-year fixed term-contract (FTC) maternity cover role. Working in close collaboration with the global Marketing Director, the Communications Manager will lead and implement WSET s internal, external and customer communications plans.

As well as managing WSET s external voice in trade and consumer media globally, you will be responsible for implementing the internal communications plan and helping to increase employee engagement across the organisation. The Communications Manager will also develop and drive forward the communications plan for our global network of course providers.

Key activities include:

• Implementing our existing internal, external and customer communications strategies to help strengthen the WSET employer brand, raise its global profile in key markets and enhance communications with its network of course providers.

• Ensuring that WSET has a consistent voice in all its messaging across internal and external channels, developing and rolling out a tone of voice guide for the organisation.

• Collaborating with internal colleagues, building strong relationships to ensure that communication activities are coordinated and planned.

• Being responsible for creating and managing monthly reports on internal and external communication activity, clearly demonstrating the value added to the business.

Internal communications

• Implementing internal communications plan including managing monthly town hall sessions with all team members.

• Acting as the internal communications gatekeeper to ensure that all communications are consistent, engaging and written to a high standard.

• Managing and developing content for key channels.

• Advising senior management on creating and refining key employee messages.

External communications

• Implementation of the media relations strategy to strengthen the WSET brand globally in priority markets including managing PR freelancers in UK, US and Australia.

• Working with global marketing team to support global campaigns, tailoring media activity to regional requirements and putting in place local support as required an in line with budget.

• Acting as the key contact for media enquiries, building and maintaining relationships with media for both proactive and reactive activity.

• Developing written content for PR purposes including press releases and case studies.

• Identifying and developing suitable feature opportunities for specific spokespeople from across the key business regions.

• Providing day-to-day media relations advice and guidance to the organisation.

Customer communications

• Managing the communications plan for our global network of course providers, creating and distributing regular customer e-newsletters.

• Acting as the organisation s key point of contact for all customer communications to ensure consistency in tone and language and to manage information flow.

Essential skills and competencies

• Progressive experience in corporate communications, internal communications, press relations and/or journalism (inhouse or agency) preferably in an international environment

• Exceptional copywriting skills, with evidence of a successful track record in effectively developing and delivering written content for a variety of audiences across a range of traditional and digital channels

• Proven track record of achieving positive coverage in trade and consumer media, achieving significant PR impact and share of voice

• Experience of appointing and managing PR agencies

• Experience of building and managing relationships with a variety of stakeholders from diverse backgrounds

• Proactive with strong planning, organisational and prioritisation skills and confidence with making decisions and advising and operating under pressure

• A team player with a positive and proactive attitude

• Excellent budget management and reporting skills

Desirable skills and competencies

• Professional marketing/communications qualification

• Experience of working with drinks trade and consumer media in UK, US and/or key Asia Pacific markets

• Proficiency in CRM, ideally Microsoft Dynamics

• Proficiency in email marketing platforms (ideally DotDigital), creating email campaigns, automation programs and managing contacts/address books

UK Benefits

Annual Leave - 27 days pa + public holidays, increases with service; ability to buy/sell 5 days

Pension (options available after three months):

5% Employee (EE) 3% Employer (ER) contributions.

Option 1: 3% EE 5% ER

Option 2: 5% EE 8% ER

Option 3: 7.5% EE 12.5% ER

Option 4: 9% EE 15 ER

Health insurance (after three months):

Vitality scheme - post probation - Access to virtual GP appointments, Rewards include Caffe Nero drinks, Cinema Tickets, Apple Watch, Cash Back on Waitrose shopping, Amazon Prime membership, 75% off at Champneys, 6 month subscription with HeadSpace, Discounted Weight Watchers membership and gyms such as Virgin Active, Nuffield Health and David Lloyd, Smoking Cessation day worth 300 and half price health screens

Eye voucher scheme

Food and drink in the office

Nespresso coffee makers and a range of other drinks, fruit, cereals, soups

Season ticket & gym membership loan scheme

Group income protection scheme

EAP

24/7 confidential help and support from trained counsellors and advisors

Death in service

4x annual salary paid to nominees with associated bereavement support for family

Enhanced family friendly leave and pay

Celebration vouchers

Cycle2Work scheme

Discretionary bonus

Development - WSET's in-house training and qualifications in Wines, Spirits and Beer as well as other professional development opportunities