BACKGROUND TO THE CREATION OF THIS POST
Relationships break down, people separate and divorce. It hurts. Children, relationships, finances & futures are adversely affected. The entrenched legal culture surrounding separation and divorce means the vast majority of people turn first to solicitors then to the courts to manage their way through this personal and emotional life event.
NFM Family mediation is a professionally quality assured, cost-effective, nationally accessible, conflict resolution service. It supports couples to explore, negotiate, agree and manage their own solutions far beyond separation and divorce. Evidenced delivery of outcomes is impressive – it helps safeguard relationships, prosperity, and better futures. Yet, our research evidences alarmingly low levels of public awareness of family mediation. This is reflected across statutory, business and the 3rd Sectors.
The post-holder will develop and implement a marketing and communications strategy that will underpin and drive transformational change from current consciousness where legal redress is commonly the first choice for those separating or divorcing, to one where family mediation is the preferred first option.
JOB SUMMARY AND PURPOSE
The Marketing and Communications Manager will lead the overall development of a strategy to increase awareness of, referral to, and engagement in family mediation. They will lead and deliver an effective media; communications and external relations service to ensure family mediation’s key messages and benefits are heard and embraced by the public and well-profiled in the media. They will contribute to advocacy, working with policy makers and commissioners, therefore increasing support and referrals from potential new partners. They will develop effective internal communications between NFM and our member services and create a cohesive corporate brand with capacity for further growth.
Strategic, management and delivery duties and responsibilities will be carried out in compliance with NFM’s legislative policies, guidelines and structure.
MAIN DUTIES
1. PR AND COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGY
To develop and implement a dynamic external pr and communications plan to increase awareness of NFM at national, regional and local levels, utilising input from the SMT.
To manage incoming press enquiries and deliver a fast, effective media response service, including crisis management when required.
To act as an organizational spokesperson, supporting the Chief Executive in this function as required.
To develop strong relationships with key media professionals in order to generate significant coverage of NFM’s work and services in broadcast and print media.
To develop and disseminate contemporary, creative and accessible information materials and literature to target audiences, including service users, members and partners.
To identify and co-ordinate events – our own, or our participation in others’ – to promote NFM’s services to priority audiences. .
To maintain and develop the website, with administrative support, to achieve the optimum profile with appropriate content and appeal for the public, for NFM and its Member Services.
To develop an online strategy exploiting social and electronic media as new ways to reach target audiences of NFM’s services.
2. STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT
To contribute as an active member of the Senior Management Team.
Work closely with the senior management team on the creation, development and implementation of a marketing plan to ensure the involvement of Member Services.
Ensure marketing activities, resources and materials are keenly aligned and cost-effective.
Develop methods to monitor and report on performance targets in relation to NFM’s timetables and targets.
3. CONTRIBUTION TO POLICY, ADVOCACY AND FUNDRAISING
To contribute to a policy and advocacy strategy to effectively influence government policy.
To contribute to strategic and quick-win funding opportunities, working closely with NFM SMT
4. INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS
To develop an effective internal communications strategy and create a cohesive corporate brand with capacity for further growth.
Ensure the exchange and cascade of marketing, media and communications information between NFM and our member services.
5. GENERAL
To undertake training and development relevant to the job as identified within supervisions, annual appraisals and personal training plans
To comply with all NFM policies including Equality, Health and Safety and no smoking policy in place within the building
To be flexible with working hours and in responding to the organisation’s changing needs.
PERSON SPECIFICATION – MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
EVIDENCED EXPERIENCE OF
• At least 5 years pr/media experience, either in journalism or in a press office environment
• Demonstrable experience of developing communication strategies to reach different audiences
• Experience of working in a member-based organization would be an advantage
• Formal qualification in public relations or marketing would be an advantage
DEMONSTRABLE SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and a proven track record of producing materials to publication standard
• Good analytical skills and the ability to understand and identify key issues
• Ability to network effectively with media contacts and develop relationships
• Proven understanding of audience segmentation and targeting techniques
• Understanding of the essential elements of online communication and the use of social media
• Understanding of the design and production process of marketing/publicity or information materials
• An understanding of performance monitoring, budgeting and reporting against targets
• Understanding of policy and government structures would be an advantage
KEY APTITUDES
• Ability to engage people
• Outstanding communication skills – both verbal and oral
• Empathy around relationship breakdown
• Awareness/understanding of the role and value of the 3rd Sector
• Persistence, resilience, resourcefulness
• Creativity and originality
The post holder will: be flexible in response to needs and deadlines; organized, reliable and trustworthy; committed to highly professional working standards; supportive of the NFM Team; able to drive their own performance and delivery.
NFM offers, in return, a dynamic and exciting opportunity to shape the future of family mediation.
Application by C.V. to ruthcarroll@nfm.org.uk. Please include a short statement of no more than 300 words detailing how your experience would make you ideally suited to fulfill this role.
By Post:
Ruth Carroll
4 Barnfield Hill
Exeter
Devon
EX1 1SR
Closing date for applications: 5pm, Monday 27th June 2011. Interviews will be held in London on either 6th or 7th July 2011.
