Job Description

Job Title Directorate or Region Location of post Reports to Purpose of job:

To play a lead role in commissioning, editing and producing internal news and written communications across the global internal channels with particular focus on Bulletin and BC Life news stories. These contribute to effective internal communication and, as a result, to employee engagement at a time of considerable change in the British Council. The Bulletin is received by all 7000 staff globally and is the main internal channel for communicating with the organisation as a whole. The post-holder will also work across Corporate HQ, especially External Relations, to lead on speechwriting for the Chair and Chief Executives Office as well as other Executive Board members as required. The Internal Communications team sets global corporate standards for internal messaging and written communications and this writing/editorial role will effectively showcase these standards and provide guidance for other teams and departments across the global network. Senior Communications Editor Corporate HQ London Head Internal Communications & Engagement

Department/Country Pay Band Duration of job

Corporate Communications and External Relations 7 Indefinite

Context and environment:

This post is based in the Internal Communications team within Corporate Headquarters and reports to Head of Internal Communications and Engagement but will also work closely with the Head of External Relations on speech-writing. In the Internal Communications team you will work alongside the Internal Communications Manager who oversees all the main internal communications channels and the Internal Communications Officer, who manages the Notices section and technical side of the Bulletin as well as providing support to other internal communications projects. In the External Relations team you will work with the Head of External Relations on speechwriting as required, and on specific requests from the Chair or CEO. The Internal Communications team manages all corporate internal channels, providing a service and guidance to other departments who generate the content. We work constantly with the Strategic Business Units, departments such as Partnerships and Legal, the support functions (HR, Finance, Global IS etc) and the Regions, agreeing messaging, promoting transparency and encouraging best practise in internal messaging. We also work with teams across the global network to engage colleagues in change and corporate initiatives. As part of the wider Corporate Communications team, the Internal Communications team also works directly with the Executive Board and the Management Board to shape internal messaging around strategic decisions and corporate priorities.

The External Relations team helps ensure top-level stakeholders are positively engaged with our work, understand our purpose and our contribution to better international cultural relations. The focus is on UK Ministers and politicians; key decision-makers in UK Government; and the indirect influencers on both (in
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the arts, business, civil society, education, as well as think tanks. The External Relations team works very closely with the Chair and Chief Executives office and takes the lead on all speechwriting associated with external events involving the Chair and the CEO.

Accountabilities, responsibilities and main duties:

Accountable for: Producing appropriate volume and quality of globally relevant and engaging internal news stories for the weekly Bulletin email. Ensuring that the Notices and Editors Picks section of the Bulletin meet required standards and are relevant, engaging and well edited. Preparing high quality speeches and presentations for the Chair and Chief Executive Producing content for and publishing British Council Life online magazine Responsible for: Writing/editing/commissioning internal news stories, corporate messages and internal reports content Main duties: Writing and editing internal communications content and speeches as required.

Key relationships: (include internal and external)

Director Corporate Communications Director Corporate HQ Head External Relations Head of Chair and CEOs Office Regional Marcomms Managers Communications Managers of the Strategic Business Units, support functions and Regions

Other important features or requirements of the job (e.g. travel, unsocial/evening hours, restrictions on employment etc)

Please specify any N/A passport/visa and/or nationality requirement. Please indicate if any security N/A or legal checks are required for this role.

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Person Specification
Essential Behaviours Creating shared purpose (more demanding level) Being accountable (more demanding level) Making it Happen (more demanding level) Shaping the Future (more demanding level) Desirable Working together Connecting with Others Assessment stage

Interview

Skills and Knowledge

Excellent writing and editing skills and flawless written English language (must provide an example of an article or other written communication written by the applicant) Confidence in dealing with senior managers and excellent verbal communication skills. Research skills Sharepoint publishing and design Understanding of what it takes to engage an audience through internal communications Speechwriting skills (must provide an example of a speech written by the applicant)

Interest in and understanding of international relations Interest in and understanding of British Council strategy and cultural relations Understanding of key policy issues in education, the arts or English language teaching

Short listing & Interview Directly before the interview the candidate will be invited to complete a short written assignment

Experience

Demonstrable experience in (a) a role which demands writing internal or external communications for a specific target audience, and (b) an editorial capacity for internal or external communications (c) Speechwriting

Journalism experience

Short listing & Interview

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Qualifications

Qualification in journalism

Short listing

Submitted by

Melissa Stewart

Date

13/11/2012

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