Corporate Communications Manager, Sports Body

South West London, UK, Flexible Salary (depending upon experience)

Our client is one of the leading sports governing bodies in the UK with a large international presence. They are looking to recruit a Communications & Public Affairs expert to report to the Chief Executive.

Job Description:

To manage all internal and external Communication, Public Relations and media activities concerning corporate and public affairs so that the organisations’s message is positively delivered and understood. To manage all communications regarding strategic projects as determined by the Chief Exec. and will liaise closely with the Director of Communications and his staff and the company chairman. This role will effectively manage all issues/ crisis management communications and everything outside ‘day to day’ communications.

• Review and develop the companies external communications plan regarding strategic and operational issues and develop and maintain a news programme that will build a solid understanding of the companies position and progress in these areas.
• Manage specific issues and projects, as directed by the Chief Exec., to ensure that where possible the company is seen in a positive light and its point of view is understood.
• Manage the media relations and communications strategy in relation to sport relationships with the professional clubs, their representative body, and international sports board.
• Direct and manage the activities of external and political lobbying organisations to ensure that the bodies interest are properly served in the political arena and in the domain of sports politics.
• Lead on all media related aspects on the sports political lobbying initiative and acts as the first point of contact for the body.
• Acts as the bodies point of contact for all party sports union committee in the House of Commons and the European Parliament and establishes a pro-active media/ lobbying/opinion former campaign designed to achieve further funding and awareness of the bodies legislative issues.
• In liaison with the Director of Communications, initiates and chairs press conferences as required and produces subsequent press release for distribution to the media.
• In liaison with the Director of Communications, manages external media/ PR agencies when external support is required.

The job holder is accountable for: The determination of media and PR strategy on key projects. The effective day to day operation and delivery of the communications programme to agreed performance targets and standards.

Qualifications & Experience:

Educated to degree level. A PR + Communications specialist with experience and proven public affairs or lobbying exposure. You must have worked in high profile organisations (ideally sports or sports related) and be accustomed to establishing and directing communications strategies in highly political environments.

Please e-mail a CV to hfriend@vmagroup.co.uk quoting reference number HF2796TW.