November 2009
Communications
Manager

Candidate Pack

Letter from Tony Armstrong, Chief Executive of Living Streets

Background Briefing

Job Description

Person Specification
Application Process and Timetable
How to Apply
Go to for further information

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Living Streets

Letter from Tony Armstrong, Chief Executive

Dear Potential Candidate,

Thank you for your interest in the role of Communications Manager. Living Streets has a positive vision of safe, attractive, enjoyable streets across the UK, where people want to walk. We run a series of national campaigns such as Walk to School which involves 2 million children each year. We work with local authorities across the country to help them make practical improvements to streets and neighbourhoods, and of course we influence and lobby nationally, regionally and locally for policy that supports the creation of living streets.

This is an exciting time for us: we have a supportive policy environment for our agenda, and have been successful in expanding our funding and staff team over recent years. Effective communication is key to helping us deliver our vision. In the past year Living Streets has undergone a re-brand and an overhaul of our website and communications tools, we are now looking for someone with the right credentials to capitalise on this and take our communications to the next level.

If you genuinely care about what we do; are an effective manager with a track-record of successful communications, then you will find that this post offers you an exciting opportunity. Living Streets really does make a difference to the lives of many communities and is a leading voice in the field. This is a rare opportunity for the right person to have a significant influence in achieving our vision and we are looking for someone energetic and passionate about our work.

We’ve come a long way from our foundation in 1929. We have a distinguished record of innovative campaigning and achievement and now stand on the threshold of an era that can deliver huge positive changes for the quality of our streets. If you think you’re the right person to play an important role in this exciting part of our journey then we’d like to hear from you.

Yours sincerely,

Tony Armstrong

Chief Executive, Living Streets

Background Briefing

Living Streets is the national charity that stands up for pedestrians. With our supporters we work to create safe, attractive and enjoyable streets, where people want to walk.

We have been the national voice for pedestrians throughout our 80 year history. In the early years, our campaigning led to the introduction of the driving test, pedestrian crossings and 30mph speed limits. Since then our ambition has grown. Today we influence decision makers nationally and locally, run successful projects to encourage people to walk, and provide specialist consultancy services to help reduce congestion and carbon emissions, improve public health, and make sure every community can enjoy vibrant streets and public spaces.

We started life in 1929 as the Pedestrians Association, set up to protect the rights of pedestrians in the new era of widespread motor vehicles. The central ethos of the founders of the Pedestrians Association has been constantly upheld, and the idea of protecting and promoting people's right to use their streets is as relevant now as it was when those founders brought the organisation to life in the summer of 1929. Their passion and energy established the vision that Living Streets continues to strive for today.

Living Streets has enjoyed a decade of steady growth and renewal. In 1997, the organisationhad a turnover of £25,000 and a part-time member of staff. Now the turnover has increased to £1.5 million in 2008 due to steady growth and an award of £2.8million over 4 years by the Big Lottery Fund. Living Streets now consists of a committed and passionate team based in London, Newcastle and Scotland. There are currently almost 40 members of staff spread around the country, in order to broaden our geographical reach and ensure that projects belong to local people and communities.

The organisation has developed an excellent reputation within government, amongst related professions and the sector for our policy and campaigning work, our innovative consultancy services and our national campaigns and projects aimed at encouraging and enabling walking. We have recently undergone a re-branding exercise to build on this reputation and expand our reach.

Communications Manager

Having recently undergone a re-brand and an overhaul of our website we are recruiting an ambitious Communications Manager to capitalise on this and take our communications to the next level. The Communications Manager will be responsible for all aspects of communication across Living Streets. To succeed in this role you will be a communications expert with the flair and experience to maximise Living Streets’ profile and influence.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job title:Communications Manager

SalaryRange:£32,082- £39,402

Reporting to:Head of Policy and Communications

Management responsibilities: Press Officer

Project Marketing Co-ordinator

MAIN PURPOSE OF JOB:

The Communications Manager will manage all aspects of communications across Living Streets including media handling, marketing and PR, publications and control of the organisation’s image and brand. They will be responsible for delivering a proactive communications strategy, as well as improving and maintaining internal communications and developing and delivering PR campaigns.

The post holder will report to the Head of Policy and Communications and will be part of the Senior Team of Living Streets. They will work in partnership with other Managers and staff to ensure effective communications and marketing is mainstreamed throughout the organisation. It will be necessary for the post holder to work flexibly at times, including some travel and out of office hours.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • To develop and implement communication, marketing and media strategies and plans for Living Streets
  • To reinforce clear brand identity for Living Streets, and ensure consistent messages
  • To develop and deliver campaigns in support of Livings Street’s objectives.
  • To manage and ensure production of effective and targeted publications, marketing information, media releases and web copy
  • To actively seek out opportunities to promote and publicise Living Streets
  • To identify appropriate audiences and target them effectively, building partnerships where appropriate
  • To prepare briefs and promotional/marketing plans as required, and work with and monitor external agencies, consultants, graphic designers and print specialists as appropriate
  • To evaluate and review marketing and pr activity, including working closely with the campaign and project teams, to ensure they achieve all required outcomes, including value for money
  • To maintain the organisation’s photographic and graphic material libraries, and take responsibility for all copyright, intellectual property and artistic rights as appropriate
  • To coordinate the forward plan of events to ensure that opportunities for cross promotion of messages are clearly taken.
  • To promote and implement Living Streets’ policies, for example on equal opportunities, to constantly seek to deliver on the Living Streets’ strategy and ensure that the values of the organisation are upheld.
  • In line with Living Streets’ ambition to develop a flexible and multi-skilled work force, to engage in any other duties necessary to facilitate the delivery of the Business Plan and the activities of the organisation
  • To be a part of the Senior Team of Living Streets, contributing effectively to corporate management discussions and undertaking any activities related to that role as required by the Chief Executive

Other duties

Other duties as may be required by the Chief Executive or the Head of Policy and Communications.

Key external contacts

Terms and Conditions

  • Pension - 5% employer contribution (employee contribution not compulsory).
  • 25 days holiday in year 1 (in addition to public holidays), rising by 1 day each year of service up to maximum of 30 days after 5 years
  • Flexible working / home-working agreement arrangements possible.

And after completion of 6 month probationaryperiod:

  • Annual interest-free Season Ticket Loan
  • Cycle To Work Scheme (cheap cycle and cycle equipment purchase).

Person Specification

Attributes / E = Essential P = Preferred
Experience /
  • At least two years experience in a communications, marketing and or press role, with a proven track record of achievement (E)
  • Experience of campaign development and delivery (E)
  • Experience of dealing with media at all levels (E)
  • Experience of audience segmentation (E)
  • Experience in developing communication plans and strategies and their subsequent delivery (E)
  • Experience of working with community groups and volunteers (P)
  • Experience of managing a team. (E)

Knowledge and skills /
  • Excellent written and verbal communications (E)
  • Ability to persuade and influence, including influencing senior people internally and externally.(E)
  • Ability to plan and organise workload and that of others (E)
  • Ability to work under pressure and to strict deadlines across a range of activities (E)
  • Good IT skills (E)
  • Project management skills; ability to co-ordinate complex projects (E)

Personal /
  • The ability to think creatively and turn ideas into reality. (E)
  • Willingness to take responsibility for and implement corporate decisions.(E)
  • An understanding of, and commitment to, the agenda of Living Streets.(E)
  • Commitment to equal opportunities and the ability to implement the Living Streets’ equal opportunities policy. (E)

Application Form

STRICTLY PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL

APPLICATION FOR POST OF (please complete): ______

REFERENCE NUMBER (please complete):______

Surname______/ Forenames______
Address______
______
______Postcode______
Telephone Number
(work)
______
Telephone Number
(mobile)
______
Telephone Number
(home)
______/ Email______

EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS

Name And Address of Schools /
Colleges Attended /

Dates

FromTo / Examinations Taken And Results Obtained (With Grades)

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Living Streets

EMPLOYMENT (Most Recent First)

Name And Address Of Employer /

Dates of Employment

From To / Position Held And Duties Undertaken / Reason For Leaving

Please give details of previous experience including any voluntary experience as well as academic and professional qualifications relevant to this post. (Continue on separate sheet if necessary).

Please give brief details of why you think you should be considered for this post.
(Please draw upon the Person Specification to inform your answer demonstrating how your experience and skills meet the requirements of the post)

PERSONAL INTERESTS

Please give details of your spare time interests.

When Could You Take Up This Appointment?

Where Did You See This Post Advertised? (Please state name and date of publication if applicable)

REFEREES

Please Give Details (Name, Address, Telephone Number and email) Of Two Referees

-one of which should be your current or last employer

Name______
Address______
______
______
Tel no ______
Email address______
Capacity in which known ______
Permission to approach Y/N : / Name______
Address______
______
______
Tel no ______
Email address______
Capacity in which known ______
Permission to approach Y/N :

Current (or most recent) Employment Terms Details

Basic Annual Salary: Annual Leave:

Pension: Employer contribution: Employee contribution:

Any other benefits?

Notice required:

Personal Health Issues

Do you suffer from any disability, illness or health problem that may affect your ability to carry out this role?

YesNo

If yes, please give details:

DECLARATION

I declare that the information that I have provided on this form is true and accurate, and in particular that I have not omitted any fact which may have a bearing on my application. I understand that any subsequent contract of employment with Living Streets will be made on the basis of the information I have provided. Furthermore, I understand that a false declaration, which results in my appointment to Living Streets, will render me liable to dismissal without notice.

I confirm that I am entitled to work in the UK.

DATA PROTECTION ACT(Please note that when you sign this form it gives permission for the application form to be used for recruitment processing. All details will be kept confidential.)

Signature ______Date ______

Application Process and Timetable

Timetable

Deadline for applications

/

29th November

Interview Date

/

3rd December

To Apply

Please complete the Application Form and send it (preferably by e mail), by the 29th November to:

or to:

Recruitment

Living Streets

4th floor

Universal House

Wentworth Street

London

E1 7SA

Tel. 020 7377 4900

Information

If you require any further information, please visit our website

If you wish to discuss this vacancy informallyplease call Phillipa Hunt on 020 7377 4920. STRICTLY NO AGENCIES.

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Living Streets