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Head of Public Affairs and Communications

Sport & Recreation Alliance

Head of Public Affairs and Communications

£50880

Sport & Recreation Alliance, City of Westminster

  • Full time
  • Permanent
  • Remote working

Posted 1 week ago, 11 Sep | Get your application in now before you're too late!

Closing date: Closing date not specified

job Ref: f49f9fd39bc54120b2113bf5b7ee1860

Full Job Description

  • Lead the development and implementation of the SRA's public affairs, communications and marketing strategies in accordance with agreed, key corporate objectives and priorities set out in the SRA's strategy

  • Lead on media relations for the SRA, building its reach and impact with sport and political media and publications

  • Oversee the SRA's digital channels, website and branding


  • Provide strong and visible leadership of the public affairs and communications functions across the SRA membership and wider sport and recreation sector

  • Share expert public affairs advice and guidance, gathering insight and intelligence on Government's, Parliament's and members' issues and priorities to help shape the SRA's, members' and wider sector's work

  • Develop and deliver highly effective communications, marketing and campaigns to inform and influence, and raise advocacy for the SRA, its members and wider sector

  • Help lead and provide the secretariat for the APPG for Sport and coordinate activity with other members of the National Sector Partners Group


  • Establish and manage a repository of information on the SRA to enable the organisation to respond efficiently and accurately to engagement opportunities and enquiries. Assist with the production of policy documents, briefings, speeches and presentations


  • Line manage two direct reports, supporting their development and delivery of work, and ensuring they are motivated and performing at their best

  • Financial management of the public affairs, comms and marketing budgets

  • Support the Director of Communications, Partnerships & Member Services, and work with other SRA teams, to help discharge a wider range of functions and responsibilities, including policy work, corporate partnerships, the SRA's events programme, EDI & Governance work, and research tasks.

    We are seeking a self-starter, with excellent communication and inter-personal skills, and a strong understanding of and interest in the sport, media, parliamentary and political landscapes. The successful candidate will be highly effective at stakeholder engagement, understand how to build relationships with and influence policymakers and the media, and be capable of developing and delivering powerful communication, marketing and public affairs strategies that drive impact., Excellent inter-personal and written and oral communication skills, and attention to detail - with experience drafting press releases, briefings or speeches, and with the ability to engage on and explain complex issues in written work or through verbal briefings

  • A deep understanding of public affairs, political and parliamentary work, and a proven ability to engage, inform and influence stakeholders and policymakers

  • A track record of developing and delivering successful communications plans and public facing campaigns to drive impact

  • Strong skills in networking and the ability to build and maintain effective relationships with a range of people at different levels of seniority, including parliamentarians, journalists, civil servants and other external stakeholders

  • A deep understanding and/or experience of successfully managing relationships with journalists and UK media contacts and good understanding of the UK media landscape i.e. leading media broadcast and print publications across political and sports sectors

  • Ability to read and understand complex documents and distil from these the key implications for the sport and recreation sector

  • Ability to oversee the Alliance's digital media channels, website and branding effectively, with strong digital skills and a creative flair to help the Alliance engage its audiences

  • They're a self-starter, driving forward the work of the Alliance and coordinating and delivering through others

  • Leadership skills to oversee and manage the public affairs, marketing and communications team, and be able to help and inspire each member of the team to perform at their best.

  • Ability to manage a large range of competing tasks effectively with limited supervision, meeting tight deadlines with high quality work and to take responsibility for impact and output of the public affairs, marketing and communications team.

    The Sport and Recreation Alliance strongly believes in the transformational power of sport and recreation to positively shape lives and help drive societal and economic growth. We recognise the untapped potential of our sector and advocate on its behalf to foster a healthier and more prosperous nation, where more people from all backgrounds can participate and be active.


    • As one of the main and longest standing organisations in the sector, we act to protect and promote the interest of our members - who range from traditional governing bodies of sport (including the FA, the RFU, the ECB, England Netball, Skateboard GB), to outdoor and water pursuits (including British Canoeing, Camping and Caravanning Club and the RYA), to movement and dance organisations (including the British Dance Council and the Royal Academy of Dance).

    We are firm believers in 'life-work' balance, and while we are a team of high-achievers, who all work hard, strive to deliver for our members and create real world impact, we equally prioritise fostering a fun, inclusive and supportive culture and environment, where everyone can learn, develop and achieve their full potential.

    From face-to face training to networking and volunteering - you'll have all the opportunities you need to make the right moves for you. We know the postholder won't start with expertise in all these areas and we will help develop your knowledge.

    As a member of our team, you'll be doing everything you can to deliver our strategy, and we'll be doing everything we can to support you every step of the way.

    Below is a list of the range of benefits we offer our employees.
  • 25 days paid holiday, increasing to 27 days after 3 years and 30 days after 5 years. Paid bank holidays. You also have the option to buy an additional 5 days leave per year.

  • In addition, we offer 3.5 privilege days which is taken between Christmas and New Year.

  • 2 moments that matter days to be taken each year which can be used for whatever is important to you - from celebrating a birthday to a movie day.

  • 4 volunteering days per year.

  • No long-hours culture. Our team work hard but we strongly discourage late working. We like our team to be able to enjoy their personal life as well as their time at work.

  • Centrally located attractive office in Holborn which includes collaboration spaces and is close to shops, cafes, bars, gyms and sport clubs.

  • Hybrid working from day 1 - all the team do a mixture of working at home and office

  • Focus on learning and development. The team are encouraged to discuss their career paths with their line managers as our new approach to performance appraisals. We also tap into the expertise within the sector for employees to shadow with possible mentoring opportunities and a focus on learning from each other including our Board members.

  • Enhanced sick leave, maternity, paternity and adoption leave.

  • Special leave ranging from dependents and carers leave, household emergency, moving house through to bereavement leave for family members and pets.

  • Private healthcare with Vitality which includes a range of reward partners.

  • £250 annually towards gym, sports club or sports equipment purchases.

  • Choice of 2 pension providers.

  • Access to an employee assistance programme through Health Assured should you need additional financial or emotion support. We annually train members of our team to become Mental Health First Aiders.