Director of Communications and Campaigns - New West End Company - London - £100,000 - £115,000

About New West End Company

New West End Company is one of the world’s largest Business Improvement District (BID). We are a not-for-profit business partnership made up of 600 retail, restaurant, hotel and property owners across the world's top shopping and leisure destination anchored by Bond Street, Oxford Street and Regent Street and Mayfair. We have been operating for 20 years and recently secured a 98% business mandate to guarantee £40m of funding from 2021 – 2026.

 

As one of the world’s greatest retail destinations, clearly our immediate aim has been to ensure we our members can fully respond to the challenges presented by the COVID pandemic. However, our work goes beyond pandemic recovery. We also work in partnership delivering transformational projects, sustainable place management, destination marketing, advocacy, inward investment, and commercial insights.

As part of our 2021 Manifesto to our Members, we clearly stated our pledge to lead campaigns and initiatives that support economic, environmental and social progress for the District. Our existing campaigns advocate for changes in regulation, tax free shopping, business rates, tourist visas and Sunday Trading reform. These lines of engagement are already underway but with a new Executive team about to be appointed, we have created a new position of Director of Communications and Campaigns to ensure our voice on behalf of our District is amplified and impacts on our key stakeholders ensuring our ambition of creating a £10bn District turnover is realised.

As the Director of Communications and Campaigns, you will be responsible for:

• Providing strategic leadership to the organisation as a member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), setting an example as a role model for others and providing inspirational management and coaching of staff.
• Developing and delivering media and Public Affairs plans which are endorsed by the Board and the Public Affairs Group.
• Developing strong relationships with key players and partners to ensure co- ordinated messaging and positioning us so that we are seen as the GO TO expert on matters critical to success.
• Building a strong narrative for New West End Company with effective messaging using all channels – including media, member engagement, insights, digital, events, and internal communications and corporate affairs to ensure maximum impact and reach.
• Supporting the CEO on major campaigns or strategic issues exploiting all communications channels to achieve optimum benefit.
• Developing key relationships with lead authorities; WCC, London BIDs, and GLA/TfL/L&P and Government as required.

To qualify as the Director of Communications and Campaigns, you must have experience of:

• A strong leader with a flexible attitude and a focus on driving towards tangible outcomes. You must have the ability to inspire and manage teams effectively and persuade others to collaborate to achieve your shared objectives.
• Running a Corporate Affairs function which engages both internal and external stakeholders via the use of integrated multi-channel campaigns.
• Engaging with political stakeholders at local, regional, and national strands of government. You must have demonstrable experience of working with senior level stakeholders, showing gravitas, empathy, and political nous.
• Experience of developing integrated communications strategies across all aspects of external engagement, public affairs, and internal communications. 
• Creative thinker and outstanding in execution of programmes.
• A collaborative approach that ensures a complex array of audiences and stakeholders are motivated to deliver objectives.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.

How to apply:

You must please apply by submitting an up-to-date CV and accompanying supporting statement via the apply button.

For an informal and confidential discussion, please speak with our advisors at Odgers Berndtson

Thomas Ewen; thomas.ewen@odgersberndtson.com  

Closing date for applications: 17^th August 2022 at 23:59