Boat Safety Scheme National Communications & Public Affairs Manager

Our opportunity

Location & coverage

The position will be offered on a remote working basis, with a requirement to attend our main hub spaces and or other navigation & harbour authority offices throughout the UK as and when required for team working and collaborative meetings. Travel throughout the network of inland waterways is expected in order to conduct site visits. 

BSS Limited supports numerous navigation and harbour authorities throughout the UK. We hold forum meetings in numerous locations but mainly based in Warwickshire and Hertfordshire. Our monthly meetings are held In Hemel Hempstead. When travelling on Boat Safety Scheme business, train tickets, and accommodation (when overnight stays are applicable) are bookable through designated apps and websites.

See the links to most of our navigation and harbour authority stakeholders here: www.aina.org.uk 

Key Accountabilities:

• Hold accountability for organisational brand positioning and reputation, developing and delivering initiatives that increase stakeholder engagement and public awareness.
• Develop, lead and evaluate organisational communications strategy, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives and providing expert advice to senior leadership.
• Manage the delivery of a communication calendar that effectively uses corporate schedules, seasonal factors and generated opportunities to deliver effective Examiner support, public understanding of standards and compliance, and propagates public awareness of risk and influences safer public behaviours.  
• Create, implement and oversee all BSS communications in a way that satisfies Board of Directors, media, Examiners, Forum members and navigation authority customer needs whilst supporting BSS policy aims. Including all website, email, video, social media communications for internal and external stakeholders;
• Plan, schedule prepare, deliver and monitor a series of national campaigns (integrating media relations, digital, and traditional communication tools) to meet the BSS strategic goals around influence public safety and Examiner support and stakeholder relations.
• Authoring in collaboration with other management members, policy and consultation documents for the Board, forums and other bodies drawing on data collection, analysis and reporting to support the Scheme’s and navigation authority decision making processes.
• Collaborate with the Technical section colleagues and consultants on submissions and documentation supporting BSS positions with national and international standards makers and regulatory bodies.
• Deliver in partnership with governance and technical managers, precise and carefully drafted regulatory and legal documents and policies.
• Deliver a programme of corporate communications activities to: meet our legal requirements; (e.g. Annual Report & Accounts, Annual Meeting)
• Responsible for and management of the BSS public website as a primary delivery tool for boat owner information, customer enquiries and BSS Forum member support (via a password protected sub-site);
• Delivering agreed campaigns (integrating print media relations, digital, and traditional marketing) to meet the Scheme’s strategic goals around influence e.g. to attract and retain further navigation & harbour authorities to adopt the BSS.
• Lead campaigns to raise awareness of project partners, as well as encouraging deeper engagement and involvement through participatory activities.
• Protecting the Scheme’s reputation in response to crises and providing professional guidance for BSS spokespeople.
• Responsible for the brand management of the Scheme.
• Grow relationships to help deliver collaborations with key partners – in particular MPs, Government Departments, arm’s length agencies and sectorial organisations etc to increase risk awareness and action risk reducing behaviours; including by positioning the BSS as a champion in the sector.
• Work with colleagues to produce effective and influential research to meet the Scheme’s / navigation and harbour authorities ‘objectives 

Skills & Qualifications

Essential:

• Degree-level education; Ideally a member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations.   
  Substantial experience in a communications management field
• Can effectively allocate and manage budgets
• Track record of measuring and evaluating activity and reporting back to an executive team
• Track record of working with external partners and stakeholders to achieve shared objectives
• Substantial experience of contributing to the creative development of new ideas, strategies, and stories as part of the wider communications team
• Strong knowledge and understanding of current trends in digital media/social media;
• Excellent understanding of GDPR compliance and other relevant data protection legislation.
• Highly proficient in the use of Microsoft 365 packages including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and appropriate CRM software and systems
• Highly computer literate. Able to analyse complex data, identifying issues and trends, interpret results and develop recommendations.
• Full UK Driving License 

Desirable:

• Knowledge of appropriate Windows software and knowledge of appropriate CRM software and systems, including SAP and Salesforce;
• Public affairs experience in working with local and national government departments and agencies
• In-service training to administration level competencies for the Salesforce ecosystem.
• Proven ability to effectively and confidently communicate financial matters to non-financial colleagues through data analysis and reporting

What we offer

In addition to your salary of up to £50,000 per annum + £425 Car Cash allowance per month, you will benefit from a competitive contributory DC Pension scheme arrangement, great holiday entitlement and numerous other employee benefits, including several salary sacrifice benefits, all of which can be found here: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us/work-for-us/our-benefits