This is a high profile and pivotal role for Liverpool Cathedral and the Diocese of Liverpool as we seek to tell our stories and build our reputations as we seek to grow.

The postholder will be a communication’s professional able to help shape how we engage with a myriad of key stakeholders. They will be a flexible operator used to the busy environment of a modern communications office. They will help create a framework for clear consistent communications bringing their experience of best practice and facilitate consistent good practice among other teams. They will help set the tone for how we speak to the world around us.

They will have day to day responsibility for managing the communications team. We will expect them to build and sustain meaningful, productive relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.

Key tasks

• Lead on critical marketing and promotional campaigns
• Use analytics to help us evaluate the effectiveness of our communication activity
• Have editorial responsibility for key communication vehicles
  – The Bulletin; Cathedral E-News;, social media and websites for diocese and cathedral
• Manage any outside agencies or partners
• Manage budgets appropriate to delivering the projects
• Set targets and outcomes for communication projects and for the team
• Evaluate and monitor the success of projects
• Maintain brand consistency

Managing internal relationships in cathedral and diocese

• to develop and maintain relationships with internal stakeholders
• to identify communication issues for colleagues and develop appropriate solutions
• to develop communications projects from conception to delivery ensuring they are on time and within budget

Line manage the communications’ team

• to provide line management support for Digital Marketing Manager, the Digital Designer and Digital Content Officer
• to mentor Digital Marketing Manager to manage digital apprentice
• to identify training needs and develop necessary programmes
• to identify and maintain best practice
• to proactively promote diocesan and cathedral values

Proactively manage relationships with key media outlets

• to maintain knowledge of media landscape and identify key opportunities to enhance and develop both organisations’ reputations
• to write and issue media releases through the right medium and platform
• to proactively manage the diocese and cathedral’s reputation and media presence
• to respond positively to media requests
• to manage and support crisis PR management

Create a framework for great communication

• To facilitate analytical reports on the effectiveness of our communication activities
• To ensure there are appropriate communications styleguides, tools and packages for cathedral and diocese
• To develop our digital marketing engagement
• To research our key audiences and find new ways to communicate
• To keep up to date with communication trends and methods
• To keep up to date with marketing trends and methods

Training and support colleagues and parishes

• To offer training and support for colleagues on communication tools and areas of good practice
• To help brief spokespeople for media interviews
• To offer advice to colleagues and parishes on communications and media matters
• To support and advise parishes to respond to negative media coverage

The postholder will undertake other relevant duties as may be requested from time to time and commensurate with the role.

The post holder must be in sympathy with the aims and ethos of the Church of England. The post holder must also fully support the Values of the Diocese of Liverpool and Liverpool Cathedral.

Essential Requirements unless marked desirable (D)

Qualifications

• Educated to degree standard- preferably in related subject
• Membership or recognised professional body CIPR/ CIM or equivalent (D)

Experience

• Provision of effective leadership and performance management with evidence of motivating and inspiring a team/s to achieve goals

• Previous experience of formulating communications plans to deliver the strategy

• Effective management of projects from concept to completion

• Experience of managing budgets

• Previous experience of editing and production of top equality communications outputs

• Proven ability to use social media as a communications platform

• Previous experience building good relationships with third party outlets, e.g. national media (D)

• Experience of managing precious crisis situations (D)

• Experience of managing external agencies (D)

Knowledge

• Excellent communicator both written and verbal

• Strong interpersonal skills

• Strong relationship builder and ability to work collaboratively with internal and externa people

• Ability to influence, persuade and negotiate

• Excellent planning and organising skills

• Ability to manage conflicting demands on time

• Have a keen eye for detail and presentation

• Ability to work accurately to deadlines

• Understanding the importance of maintaining a professional reputation and PR

• Demonstrate a positive “can do” attitude and constantly look for more efficient and effective ways of working

• Excellent grasp on technology and platforms relative to this role; keeping an eye out for new trends and emerging technologies

Personal Qualities

• Optimistic and driven to success

• Remain calm under pressure

• Professional and respectful to others

• Sympathy with the values and ethos of the Church of England

Work related Circumstances

• A flexible team member who can work evenings and different days of the week when required (with reasonable notice)

Diversity and inclusion are very important to us at Liverpool Diocese and we want everyone to be themselves at work with a culture that includes everyone. Our policies ensure that every candidate and employee are treated fairly and with equal opportunities.

What we offer:

• 25 days annual leave pro-rata, plus up to 3 days over the Christmas period
• Non-contributory pension scheme with generous employer contributions (additional voluntary contributions may be made)
• Employee Assistance Programme giving you 24-hour access to support for your health and wellbeing
• A supportive culture that values work-life balance including flexible working around core hours in a 35-hour week
• Employee discount in Cathedral shop and bistro
• Free on-site parking, secure bike storage and easy access to public transport

About the Diocese of Liverpool

The Diocese of Liverpool is the Church of England in a corner of the north west with churches from Southport to Widnes; Wigan to Warrington and throughout the city of Liverpool all working their hardest to fulfil our vision of asking God for a bigger church making a bigger difference with more people knowing Jesus and more justice in the world.

As we work towards that vision we have four priorities

1. Introducing people to Jesus
2. Deepening discipleship
3. Developing Christian leaders
4. Working for justice

The diocesan offices provide essential support services to our parishes with many specialist staff offering expert support to our frontline parishes. We have a reputation for being a creative organisation securing national church backing for a range of innovative projects.

We are a small, supportive team offering a flexible approach. We have adopted a hybrid model balancing office based with home-based working. We are serious about the work life balance with generous holiday allowances and access to an Employee Assistance Programme. Diocesan staff have a strong working relationship with Liverpool Cathedral and our offices sit in the shadow of this magnificent iconic building.

For more information visit our website www.liverpool.anglican.org

Liverpool Diocese Values

Our values underpin the culture of working for the Diocese of Liverpool at St James House.

Our values are:

Dynamic: This means we are creative, open minded and willing to adapt for the good of the

organisation. We make things happen, embrace and drive change and do great things with enthusiasm, passion and enjoyment.

Respectful: This means we respect and value the contribution of all colleagues and treat each other and those we serve with respect, courtesy and warmth. We try to respond promptly and appropriately to requests from others

Professional: This means what we do, we do well and perform to the best of our ability, ensuring our knowledge is kept up to date. We demonstrate a ‘can-do’ attitude and take ownership of issues, aiming to exceed expectations

Collaborative: This means we willingly share ideas, knowledge, expertise and experience and seek to understand and work with other teams. We help, support and guide each other, believing we do it better together.

For an informal discussion about this role please contact Stuart Haynes stuart.haynes@liverpool.anglican.org

Closing Date 19th February 2023, Interviews held on 27th or 28th February 2023.