Senior Communications Manager
Forestry Commission - Forest Research
Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 26th May 2024
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Environment and Sustainability
Science
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About the job
Job summary
Want to work at the cutting edge of environmental science research? Passionate about making a difference and playing your part in tackling the climate and nature crises? Forest Research (FR) is a leading UK scientific research organisation that provides impactful scientific data, evidence and advice to policymakers and practitioners. Internationally recognised, we want to work with people who have the skills and passion to deliver impactful science which informs practical solutions across the sector.
We’re small enough that your voice is heard, yet large enough, as part of the Forestry Commission, that we have everything on hand to get the job done, as well as a variety of career pathways. Our staff are dedicated to their work and sharing it with others to bring positive change for our natural environment. With locations across the UK, you will find us a flexible and inclusive employer who promotes agile working to help you manage your work life balance. If you want to be a part of a growing organisation that makes a difference, find out more at Homepage - Forest Research
The Communications team is the trusted voice of Forest Research. The team leads on:
- Identifying and understanding our internal and external audiences
- Building trust and loyalty amongst external audiences through consistent and transparent branded communications, creating influence and opportunity
- Motivating staff through effective delivery of the senior leadership team’s vision and communication priorities via internal communications channels
- Optimising the effectiveness of the range of analogue and digital communications channels that Forest Research uses to reach its internal and external audiences
- Delivering a cost-effective publishing programme of research, statistics and guidance documents
- Acting as first point-of-contact for all print, online and broadcast media enquiries
- Providing expert advice on media management to the senior leadership and wider organisation.
Corporate Communications supports the priorities of Forest Research by:
- Enhancing research impact by using marketing and communications insight, strategy, delivery and evaluation to influence audience behaviour
- Developing, maintaining and evaluating a communications network across partners, stakeholders and funders
- Providing marketing and communications consultancy and support across the organisation to increase impact and generate income
- Helping attract the very best employment candidates for the organisation through effective profile and reputation management
- Supporting Forest Research staff attending an agreed programme of events.
Job description
The Senior Communications Manager role focuses on the strategy, planning, coordination and evaluation of science communication to key external audiences, including partners, policy makers and forestry practitioners, in line with the Communications Strategy.
The role involves:
- Providing expert advice on science communication to the Head of Communications, senior management team and wider organisation
- Strategy and planning of multi-channel communication campaigns to support forest science research programmes and projects
- Providing communications advice to research teams, identifying communications objectives, prioritising messages and recommending the most appropriate channels for dissemination
- Creating communications plans and project managing their delivery through partnership working with science teams, communications colleagues and external partners
- Line management of science communication manager
- Working with communications team colleagues to create written and multimedia content for Forest Research channels including the FR website and social media
- Providing guidance and editorial support to science teams for planned magazine, journal and blog content
- Prioritising and scheduling of magazine, journal and blog content and relationship building with editors and channel owners
- Providing guidance to science teams on science communication events, online and in-person
- Evaluation and reporting of communications activity performance
- Developing relationships with strategic external partners to extend reach of science communication
- Deputising for the Head of Communications when required.
Person specification
Essential Criteria
- Demonstrable knowledge and skills in managing and delivering science communications within complex stakeholder environments in order to deliver the right messages in the right place at the right time
- Experience of communicating science to policy makers and/or practitioners within the environmental sector
- Communications strategy and planning skills and expertise
- Project prioritisation and management skills
- Excellent communication and influencing skills, written and verbal, with the ability to write appropriately for different audiences and channels
- The ability to persuade and influence science colleagues and partners in terms of communications best practice
- Understanding and application of OASIS planning and the Government Communications Service Evaluation Framework or other communications planning and evaluation frameworks
- Analytical and evaluation skills, providing regular reporting on communication outputs and outcomes
- Technical ability including computer literacy and content editing
- Basic video content creation skills
- Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues within the Communications team and more widely within Forest Research
- Ability to prioritise workload and work at pace.
Desirable Criteria
- Membership of a relevant professional body.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Managing a Quality Service
- Working Together
Benefits
Your career
- Excellent professional development opportunities which are tailored to your role, with paid professional membership subscriptions, mentoring, and Civil Service Learning available to all
- access to world class laboratory facilities, as well as state of the art buildings within forest or science park settings
Your work/life balance
- flexible working options such as: up to two days flexi leave per month, blended working, part-time working, paid special leave, career breaks, and unpaid leave. Parents and carers will be supported to enable you to manage work and family responsibilities
- A generous annual leave allowance of 25 days on entry increasing by 1 day each year to a maximum of 30 days (pro-rata for part-timers). Plus 2.5 days of additional leave and 8 days’ paid bank/public holidays
Your wellbeing
- A culture which promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment
- A range of wellbeing benefits including Employee Assistance Programme 24/7
- We want you to feel part of something bigger and we encourage a community feel in our workplaces, with everything from cookery competitions to Pilates and fell running, plus topical talks at Wellbeing Wednesdays and Feelgood Fridays
- Paid volunteering leave of 3 days per year so you can give back to your community and charitable causes by sharing your skills and time
Your benefits
- a highly competitive Civil Service Pension where employer contributions starting at 26% of your salary
- an employee benefits scheme offering discounts on groceries, gym memberships, holidays, days out, online retailers and high street shops
- Cycle to Work scheme and Interest free loans
- Free parking is offered on-site, alongside electric car charging ports
- With maternity, adoption, and/or shared parental leave there’s the flexibility to have up to 26 weeks full pay, followed by 13 weeks statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid leave. Paternity leave of up to two weeks is available with full pay.
Any move to Forest Research from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Sift Date: week commencing 27th May 2024.
Interview Date: week commencing 10th June 2024.
If a large volume of applications is received, then we will sift on Experience/Technical Expertise and the Lead Behaviour Communicating and Influencing however, candidates will be expected to answer questions on all behaviours at the interview stage.
Candidates who are judged to be a near miss at interview may be considered for other positions in Forest Research which may be at a lower grade but have a potential skills match.
Diverse perspectives and experiences are critical to our success and we welcome applications from all people from all backgrounds with the experience and skills needed to perform this role.
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : hr.services@forestresearch.gov.uk
- Email : hr.services@forestresearch.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : hr.services@forestresearch.gov.uk
Further information
