Communication and Partnerships Director

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RAND Europe is a not-for-profit policy research organisation. Our mission is to help improve policy- and decision-making through evidence-based research and analysis. We realise our mission by undertaking objective, balanced and relevant research, sharing the insights and information widely, and working in partnership with a range of clients and collaborators.

RAND Europe has offices in Cambridge and Brussels, and employs approximately 170 staff: just over half of our research staff have doctorates with the balance holding other post-graduate degrees. Our work lies on the continuum between that of universities and consultancies, combining the academic rigour of universities and the professional, task orientated approach of consultancies. In addition to our strong ethos of evidence-based research, RAND Europe is a values-driven organisation, and our experience shows that our most successful researchers closely align their behaviours with our value set.

We now have a hugely exciting opportunity for an experienced Communications and Partnerships Director to join and help shape RAND Europe.

You will act as a senior leader within RAND Europe, delivering the strategic, financial, and operational management of RAND Europe's fundraising, corporate affairs and communications functions, and significantly growing income and brand awareness, in line with agreed targets.

The job holder will be based at RAND Europe's headquarters in Cambridge, UK, but will be required to regularly travel to London and other locations as required with the flexibility for some home working. (Must be sufficiently flexible to work irregular hours as demanded by the requirements of the post.)

Key Responsibilities

General:

• Support the President in the development of RAND Europe's overall strategic direction and governance.
• Work closely with the President and Executive Board to build internal capability and embed a culture of organisational cooperation, ensuring that your team operates at maximum effectiveness through effective cross-functional planning and development.
• Act as an ambassador, and represent RAND Europe externally, promoting the work of the organisation and developing productive relationships and partnerships with external stakeholders to secure greater commitment (i.e., resources, support, funds, etc.) to the organisation.
• Translate the long-term financial plan into annual budgets and operating plans with appropriate KPIs to measure performance, taking decisive action as appropriate to ensure we remain on track to deliver our objectives
• Provide strategic leadership and professional expertise in Communications, Engagement and Public Relations to support RAND Europe deliver its vision and strategic ambitions.
• Promote and leverage corporate and external events to achieve greater impact and drive business development.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant regulation, guidelines, legislation and best practice, and ensure that RAND Europe adheres to the highest standards in all respects.
• Build strong relationships with senior peers across the organisation and actively contribute to organisational cohesion, encouraging cross-team working, and a proactive problem-solving approach.
• To support an open management style, communicating management information well and encouraging staff to contribute to shaping the organisation. Develop a culture of innovation, resourcefulness and best practice in the department that makes the best use of time and skills in the team.
• Complies with all company policies and RAND Europe Management Systems.

People Management:

Support the organisation in delivering its corporate and strategic objectives by leading a team of multi skilled professionals including where appropriate:

• resource planning and recruitment
• ensure that their performance effectively delivers the organisation's goals
• agree targets and objectives and regularly monitor their performance against these.
• regular communication through informal and formal channels such as team and one to one meetings.
• lead and promote organisation improvement, change and strategic projects.
• coach, mentor and develop

Corporate Affairs:

• Design, develop, execute, and monitor RAND Europe's corporate affairs strategy.
• Horizon scan UK and EU policy and political developments and opportunities that impact on the external strategic landscape in which RAND Europe operates and ensure that the President and Executive Board are aware of the communication, positioning and engagement requirements.
• Be responsible for the development, implementation, and effective operation of the Corporate Affairs function, reviewing effectiveness and auditing processes regularly to ensure it continues to meet the needs of the wider business.
• Deliver a programme of activity to engage RAND Europe alumni and solicit their support to advance RAND Europe's mission and research impact.

• Lead on engagement with external advisory boards such as the President's Impact Forum and RAND Europe Council of Advisors.

Communications:

• Design, develop, monitor and oversee the execution of the marketing and communications strategy (including digital strategy) that builds awareness of the RAND Europe's brand and profile, significantly growing awareness and levels of engagement amongst the organisations core audiences.
• Annually establish the strategic communications budget, monitor actuals against targets and with speed, establish actions to address negative variances.
• Oversee the development and delivery of integrated internal and external corporate communication plans, on and offline, to achieve organisation objectives, including brand awareness, reach, and engagement. To include PR, web and digital media, social media, print and publications and external events.
• Work closely with Research Teams to devise team communication plans and nurture an open working relationship between the communications team and researchers.
• To oversee development of all corporate and marketing communications materials and take overall responsibility for developing and managing consistent use of RAND Europe's brand.
• Identify, initiate, and foster positive relationships with key media contacts in the UK and EU.
• Lead press briefings, driving media coverage and managing complex media enquiries.
• Lead the communications team on developing and delivering media campaigns, working effectively with colleagues across the organisation to align with business objectives.

Philanthropy and Partnerships:

• Design, develop, monitor and oversee the execution of RAND Europe's fundraising strategy across Philanthropists, Corporates, Trusts and Foundations to significantly increase income across all fundraising channels through the development of a diverse, balanced and sustainable portfolio of income streams.
• Annually establish fundraising income targets and expenditure budgets, monitor actuals against targets and with speed, establish actions to build on positive variances and address negative ones.
• Manage and develop new and existing external partnerships in order to grow RAND Europe's profile amongst key audiences and organisations in the research community and develop new opportunities to ultimately drive forward the ambitions of RAND Europe and support our mission.
• Lead, inspire and motivate the Philanthropy and Partnerships team to achieve and exceed ambitious fundraising targets, and to strive for success and sustained growth by working in integrated ways which maximise the talent and resources available.
• Build awareness of RAND Europe as a brand "worth giving to" and support achievement of income targets.
• Work with the Executive Board and research teams to create and embed a culture that raises the profile of fundraising, helping each member of staff understand the role they must play in securing the voluntary income we need to deliver our mission.
• Ensure that we have strategic, compelling cases for support, which appeals to the widest range of supporters and funders.

Requirements

• A specialist technical qualification and/or demonstrate experience gained over a number of years working in a senior fundraising, communications, external affairs discipline, ideally at Director level.
• An ability to manage and guide a growing team and be able to develop and inspire the team to achieve its goals, both individually and organisationally.
• You must be able to demonstrate the ability to forge strong relationships externally and internally at the highest levels and to foster open and constructive dialogue, often between parties with widely divergent views. You should also be able to illustrate the ability to persuade and influence opinion to drive co-operation and decision making.
• A track record of leading, developing and delivering successful strategies for an organisation, which grew their organisational profile, reach and engagement.
• A track record of establishing, leading and growing a broad range of income streams and delivering successful fundraising strategies which achieve significant uplift in income generation for an organisation.
• Experience on leading all aspects of an organisations fundraising and communications operations.
• Experience of branding and brand management.
• Excellent communication skills evidenced by clear and succinct writing style, and the ability to communicate complex ideas in an accessible way.
• Ability to serve as an internal consultant and provide guidance and training to a variety of staff on communication, fundraising and corporate affairs issues.
• Strong organisation and time management skills with the ability to work under pressure, being self-motivated, including in a fast-paced environment able to use own initiative under minimal supervision.
• Experience in policymaking in both public and private sectors is highly desirable

Qualifications

• Master's degree/ specialist professional qualification and/or demonstrate experience gained over a number of years working in a senior fundraising, communications, external affairs discipline

Benefits

• Pension - 8% Employer contribution;
• 33 days holiday allowance, including the Bank Holidays;
• Annual salary review;
• BUPA medical insurance;
• Generous company sick pay;
• Enhanced family friendly policies;
• Group income protection scheme;
• Group life assurance;
• Compassionate leave;
• Flexible working arrangements;
• Learning and development opportunities;
• Employee wellbeing training and support;
• Fresh fruit every day;
• Free on-site parking;
• Cycle to work scheme;
• Access to company bikes;
• Service awards.

How to Apply

If you believe you are suited to the above role, please submit an application comprising of a CV and covering letter. The deadline for applications is 30/04/24.

If you have not been contacted within 30 days of application deadline, please assume your application has not been successful.