Head of Media - #1722757

The National Lottery Community Fund is seeking a Head of Media. In this new role, created as part of our newly restructured and ambitious communications function, you will be growing and developing a team of 10 (5 direct reports) to lead the external communications in support of our Strategy, It starts with community.

You'll have the chance to shape this critical leadership position in ways that will define our external voice and influence for years to come. In this strategic role, you will increase public understanding of the Fund as a champion of community power, bringing to life how we strengthen society and improve lives across the UK, directly advancing our strategic objectives in each of the four nations.

As a member of the communications leadership team, you will:

• develop compelling value propositions and campaigns for our four missions designed to resonate with decision-makers, policymakers, and communities of all kinds.
• ·oversee our comprehensive content calendar and planning processes across earned, owned and shared media.
• use data and analytics effectively to provide actionable insights and performance analysis to continuously refine our approach
• act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on media relations and building our reputation
• work in close collaboration with funding officers, grant holders and partners to anticipate and mitigate risks in a structured way, handling sensitive media issues when they arise.
• build a strong reactive and proactive media and social media operation that supports the Fund’s wider strategic objectives.

We're looking for a strategic communications leader with significant experience at senior level in media, social media and external communications. The ideal candidate will bring:

• a sophisticated understanding of the UK media landscape, including national, regional, devolved and trade media
• a track record of building influential relationships
• understanding of the impact of the changing traditional and digital media environment and the challenges that presents to reaching diverse audiences.
• experience navigating complex stakeholder environments and balancing diverse priorities.

Your background might include communications leadership in government, non-profit, or large mission-driven organisations where you've demonstrated the ability to translate organisational objectives into impactful communications campaigns.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of our external communications strategy across the UK
• Drive high-impact media and social media campaigns that advance our missions and elevate community stories
• Oversee our content strategy across all platforms, ensuring consistent messaging and compelling storytelling
• Build and maintain strong relationships with media outlets, serving as the Fund's principal media spokesperson
• Provide strategic counsel on reputation management and crisis communications to senior leadership
• Lead and develop a high-performing team of communications professionals across the four nations
• Manage resources effectively, ensuring communications activities deliver maximum impact within budget

Location: We have a hybrid approach to working. Work pattern and location will be agreed with the successful candidate. The role can be based at any of our UK offices: Belfast, Birmingham, Cardiff, Exeter, Glasgow, Leeds, London, Manchester, Newcastle and Newtown.

Interviews: 16th June - Virtual

If you would like an informal conversation about the role specifically or the recruitment process please contact: [email protected]

On application, please align your supporting statement to the criteria below

Essential criteria

• Substantial experience in developing external communications strategies across shared, earned and owned media
• Substantial experience in leading media relations for a complex organisation with demonstrable understanding of UK and relevant sector press
• Strong understanding of social and digital media and experience in using them to build engagement with audiences
• Strong leadership skills with experience developing high-performing teams and effective project management
• Understanding of the evolving media landscape, including emerging digital platforms and technologies
• Experience providing strategic counsel to senior stakeholders including during times of reputational risk and crisis management
• Ability to draft, edit and commission exceptional content for different audiences in multiple formats
• Excellent interpersonal, networking and communication skills, able to navigate complex organisational dynamics

Desirable criteria

• Understanding of the UK-wide and devolved policy context in which the Fund operates, potentially gained in the public sector, among voluntary, community and social enterprises, or in one of our mission areas
• Relevant professional qualification with evidence of continuing professional development

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Communities in the UK come in all shapes and sizes. National Lottery funding is for everyone – therefore, we are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and we work hard to ensure our funding reaches where it is needed.

We also believe our people should represent the communities, organisations and individuals we work with. That’s why The National Lottery Community Fund is committed to being an inclusive employer and a great place to work. We recognise and celebrate the fact that our people come from diverse backgrounds. We positively welcome applications from people from ethnic minority backgrounds, people with disabilities or longstanding health conditions, people who are LGBTQ+, and people from different socio-economic and educational backgrounds, as well as people of all ages.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we take a proactive approach in making reasonable adjustments, if needed, throughout the recruitment process and during employment. (This can be related to a physical and mental health condition.)