Job Specification for Candidates

British Blind Sport

Pure Offices

Plato Close

Tachbrook Business Park

Leamington Spa

Warwickshire

CV34 6WE

Tel: 01926 424247

Registered charity number: 1168093

Company Limited by Guarantee No: 10009918

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: / Communications Officer
Salary Range: / £22,500 to £26,000
Hours of work: / 37.5 hours per week
Location: / Head Office, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Responsible to: / CEO
Contract status: / Permanent. The role is funded by Sport England with partner contributions
Annual leave: / 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays. The holiday year is from 1st January to 31st December.

Purpose

The Communications Officer is an integral roleto British Blind Sport (BBS). The role is responsible for raising awareness of the organisation as well as creating a strong relationship with the BBS membership and our external partners. The successful candidate will lead the function of all marketing and communications including managing the BBS advocacy service,the overseeing of digital platforms, communications with members, biannual magazine and PR campaigns.In addition, the successful candidate will be responsible for the development of effective internal communication channels.

Equality and diversity:

British Blind Sport is committed to championing equality and diversity in all aspects of employment and in the services that it provides. All British Blind Sport employees are expected to understand and promote the BBS Equal Opportunities Policy in the course of their work.

All British Blind Sport staff are required to actively promote equal opportunities and influence and encourage the empowerment of disabled people within sport.

The term ‘visually impaired’ is used to represent all people who are blind or partially sighted.

Key Responsibilities

  • To maintain, and update where appropriate, the BBS CRM system to maximise effective use for membership analysis and BBS advocacy service.
  • To work collaboratively with partner organisations to strategically cross-promote activities.
  • To position and present BBS as the experts on visually impaired people in the field of sport and physical activity.
  • To lead on the planning and delivery of a comprehensive communications programme to promote BBS services and those of our partners.
  • Manage day-to-day interactions with supporters and contacts via social media channels including Facebook and Twitter.
  • To present information and communications effectively and consistently both internally and externally for maximum impact.
  • To support British Blind Sportin the development of systems, processes and programmes that will enable the effective management of data, contact information and provide advice and support to staff to use, access and input into the systems effectively and to its full potential
  • To increase the engagement and reach of the organisation online profile by curating social media content reflecting BBS’ activities and that of our partners
  • To continue the development and management of the BBS website to ensure high levels of information, accessibility and functionality
  • To provide a dedicated enquiry service handling a diverse range of requests via e-mail, telephone and social media. To provide advice and support to visually impaired (VI) people as well as interested stakeholders (e.g. teachers, national governing bodies, parents, social workers, club leaders, coaches).
  • To gather information and insight into UK organisations, clubs, societies, fitness centres, colleges and local charities able to support VI people through their activities, events, recreational courses and support services.
  • Act as an advocate and support staff to help them understand the landscape, partners, knowledge and data that can provide the evidence to strengthen British Blind Sport.
  • To manage communications with our members to maintain a close relationship and understand their needs with a view to developing BBS services.
  • Monitoring and evaluation of website and social media analytics, e-newsletter and Vision magazine.
  • To assist with targeted marketing of services to members, partners and related parties.
  • To support media interest in VI people in sport and physical activity by developing information that could be used in copy material for publication.

Person Specification

Qualifications/Education / Essential / Desirable
A good level of education specifically in Maths and English / X
Marketing and communications related degree / X
Knowledge / Essential / Desirable
Knowledge of creating and implementing brand guides, marketing strategies and communications planning / X
Knowledge of the various systems and programme available to manage data and monitor customer insights and information / X
An understanding of disability issues particularly related to visually impaired people. / X
An understanding of General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) / X
Vast knowledge and interest of a variety of sports and disability sport in particular / X
Demonstrable understanding and experience of current issues in the promotion of recreational and sporting opportunities / X
Knowledge of inclusive communications best practice / X
Skills and Experience / Essential / Desirable
A proven ability of developing and maintaining systems for data management such as databases and CRM systems. / X
Experience in a role where providing advice and support is central. / X
Experience of working in a role that required a high degree of accuracy. / X
Proven ability to train and support others / X
Experience of creating strong relationships at all levels, both with colleagues and external partners / X
Experience of producing reports and case studies that highlight key facts and information on the subject matter to internal staff partners and stakeholders / X
Confident user of multiple social media platforms
Previous use of website management systems / X
Experience of create press information and articles for publishing / X
Experience of working with and motivating volunteers to engage / X
Experience of working in a disability sport setting / X
Personal Qualities / Essential / Desirable
A willingness to keep up to date with developments in technology. / X
Analytical nature and willingness to present findings in a clear and easy to understand way / X
The ability to manage own time, work quickly, under pressure and meet deadlines. / X
The ability to work well as part of a team and individually to achieve outcomes / X
Strong communication and interpersonal skills. / X
The ability and willingness to occasionally travel independentlyacross the country to undertake the responsibilities of this role / X
Ability to work with and motivate a range of partners in order to create successful sustainable relationships. / X

This role is subject to a DBS Criminal Records Check and any offer of employment is subject to a satisfactory completion of this process.

A VISIBLE DIFFERENCE THROUGH SPORT