JOB DESCRIPTION

Job title:Director, Media and PR (MATERNITY COVER)

Directorate:Media and PR

Grade:8

Post holder:VACANT

Responsible to:Senior Director, External Affairs

Responsible for:Media and PR Manager
PR Officer

Hours:35

The department

The Media and PR department is responsible for the analysis and development of the RCOG’s public relations, media relations and external and staff communications. The post holder provides professional support in all areas of media and public relations to the President, Officers and Directors, and operational leadership and management of staff in the directorate.

The Media and PR directorate comprises a Director, two Media and PR Managers (one part time) and a Press and Social Media Officer.

Purpose

The College’s Media and PR function sits within the External Affairs directorate, which also includes Policy and Public Affairs, Marketing, Membership and Journals and ePublishing. The External Affairs directorate is responsible for enhancing the external profile and presence of the RCOG.

The key objectives of the Director, Media and PR are to:

  • Together with Executive Directors and Directors, provide leadership and high-quality management of College staff and to support and advance the aims, objectives and values of the College.
  • Develop the work of the Media and PR department, providing advice and support to the Executive Director, External Affairs and the College’s leadership and management teams.
  • Work with the President, Officers and Directors to implement the Media andPublic Relations strategy.
  • Be responsible for the effective and efficient management of media relations and communications with external stakeholders and RCOG staff.
  • Support effective communication and consistent management of College policies and procedures throughout the directorate.

Main duties

The main duties of the Director, Media and PR are to:

  • Be a member of the Senior Management Group of Executive Directors and Directors.
  • In accordance with the College’s strategic and operational goals and priorities, promote the RCOG as the premier advocate in the UK and globally for women’s health and childbirth.
  • Develop and maintain good working relationships with key individuals and organisations, including professional societies, health organisations and opinion-formers in women’s health and childbirth.
  • Implement the College’s public relations and media strategy.
  • Coordinate the College’s media relations, building and maintaining relationships, liaising with editors, journalists and health correspondents, identifying spokespeople and opinion-leaders, and providing briefings, training and support.
  • Develop relationships with consumer media.
  • Contribute to the development and implementation of the College’s new media/social media strategy, in liaison with the Marketing and ePublishing directorates.
  • Develop strategic relationships with the College’s Specialist Societies and seek opportunities for collaborative working arrangements.
  • Support the work of the RCOG Women’s Network from a media and PR perspective.
  • Oversee internal communications on behalf of the Chief Executive.
  • Contribute to the RCOG’s crisis management policy.
  • Run a 24/7, 365 days a year press office, ensuing the Media and PR team provides an out-of-hours press office function.
  • Secures budgets to maintain and develop media and public relations activities and lead and manage staff in the directorate.
  • Support, lead and participate in project groups as appropriate.
  • Other duties compatible with employment may be given by the Executive Director, External Affairs.

Note: This job description reflects the present requirements of the post. As duties and responsibilities change and develop, the job description will be reviewed and be subject to amendment in consultation with the job holder.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Education requirements

Essential criteria / Desirable criteria
  • Educated to degree level or equivalent
/
  • Postgraduate or professional qualification in communications or journalism

Experience

Essential criteria / Desirable criteria
  • Experience in a senior communications role in a busy media environment
  • Experience in a modern, 24/7 news/media industry setting
  • Experience of implementing a new media/social media strategies
  • Experience of managing communications related to controversial or sensitive issues
  • Crisis management experience
  • Experience of managing teams
/
  • Recent journalistic experience
  • Experience of communications within the healthcare sector

Skills and abilities

Essential criteria / Desirable criteria
  • Knowledge of all aspects of modern communications practice
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Able to manage people and projects
  • Able to understand complex issues and communicate them to various audiences

Other requirements

Essential criteria / Desirable criteria
  • Flexible and able to deal with the unexpected
  • Able to remain calm in high-pressure situations
  • Aware of the legal implications of the provision of a public information service
/
  • Aware of the media agenda in relation to women’s health

Competencies

  1. Personal effectiveness
  • Focuses on delivering results for RCOG
  • Establishes and upholds a culture of personal responsibility
  • Acts decisively and inspires confidence in people
  • Promotes culture in which innovation is used to solve problems
  1. Quality
  • Has in-depth knowledge of own function and is recognised as a professional role model within the College
  • Takes responsibility for continuous self-development
  • Creates a culture of coaching, learning and continuous improvement
  1. Communication
  • Communicates assertively, confidently and clearly at all levels inside and outside theCollege
  • Is able to communicate complex issues regarding their own field logically and persuasively
  • Influences at all levels, including Executive Directors and Officers
  • Seeks ways to improve cross-departmental and external communication
  1. Working together
  • Develops effective working relationships and partnerships
  • Enhances team effectiveness
  • Promotes equality of opportunity and dignity at work
  1. Customer focus
  • Understands and contributes to a strategic approach to customer service
  • Ensures high standards of service delivery and encourages continuous improvement
  • Seeks out diverse customer needs and adapts services and working practices accordingly
  1. Managing change
  • Drives organisational change
  • Provides guidance and support during times of change and uncertainty
  • Encourages innovation and stimulates engagement
  1. Management and leadership
  • Gives purpose and direction
  • Motivates, empowers and supports
  • Manages performance effectively