National Communications Manager

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Job description

The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) has been championing the interests of rural England and Wales for over 100 years. We campaign to grow the rural economy, strengthen rural communities and provide a greener future for the next generation - all whilst providing a first class service to our members.

The CLA is now looking for a National Communications Manager to play a key role in raising the profile of the organisation through targeted media engagement in the national and trade press. You will have a nose for news and political nous, and thrive on autonomy and responsibility.

You will manage our relationship with a PR agency and coordinate messaging across our regional teams. On any given day you might be responding to government announcements, developing op-eds for national newspapers, working with members to arrange visits and interviews, or developing new campaign ideas to raise our profile further.

Together with colleagues in the External Affairs department, you will work on issues that matter - climate change, biodiversity, job creation, business diversification and farming.

Main responsibilities

• Assist the Director of External Affairs to develop and implement a coordinated and proactive public relations strategy
• Lead day-to-day liaison with our PR agency
• Identify opportunities for news coverage and ensure that they land in the press
• Act as main contact for Regional Communications Managers both to support their work, and ensure consistency of message across the organisation
• Produce, in liaison with advisory staff, and place articles on key issues into a range of national publications
• Prepare copy for the Land & Business magazine as required
• Work with colleagues in External Affairs as required

Key skills and experience required

• A track record in achieving substantial media coverage at a national level
• Excellent use of the English language
• Ability to write high-quality press releases and newspaper and magazine articles
• Be passionate about the countryside
• Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding on the key issues affecting rural businesses and communities
• Demonstrate a proactive approach to PR and media relations with the ability and news judgment to find and place good stories

The location, team, and working arrangements

The role is based Central London with two days a week of homeworking. You will be working in a small, friendly team, who are very passionate about the organisation and rural affairs in general as well as being part of the CLA's supportive team of over one hundred highly motivated individuals across England and Wales.

What we can offer

The CLA offers its staff a large number of benefits which include;

• Enrolment into an excellent pension scheme, offering Employer's contribution of up to 10% of salary.
• Minimum 24 days holiday, plus bank holidays.
• Workplace benefits such as, Cycle to Work Scheme and Payroll Giving.
• Access to an online wellness portal, including Employees Assistance Programme.

Application process

We would love to hear from applicants from a wide range of career backgrounds and experience: we believe that greater diversity can only strengthen us as a team.

To apply please send a covering letter, setting out how you meet the criteria, include your current remuneration and CV via the button below by 17 th December - applications will be considered on a rolling basis and therefore we encourage early application.