Associate Director Of Public Relations in West Malling

Associate Director of Public Relations

£70,000 - £80,000

Kings Hill, West Malling/Hybrid

The Role

Are you an exceptional communicator, with a passion for shaping public perception? Are you a strategic public relations professional, adept at executing well thought through marketing campaigns that make a tangible impact?

Commercial Services Group are seeking an ambitious, high-calibre and inspirational Associate Director of Public Relations to join our Strategy Senior Leadership Team. After a period of unprecedented Group growth, we have identified the need for this integral role with a central focus in strategic communications across the group.

Whilst the brands within CSG have strong awareness within their specific industries and markets, the broader CSG reputation and brand is less well known.

This role will enable us to further develop a strong commercial reputation that leverages our collective strength in new markets, with existing customers, and in the communities that we support. The Associate Director of Public Relations will hold accountability for the ongoing strategic development and delivery of external communications for CSG.

In this role, you will have the opportunity to develop, implement and drive our Group's PR strategy alongside the portfolio CEOs, playing a pivotal role in shaping our corporate identity, brand, image, and reputation among key stakeholders.

The successful applicant will lead and coordinate a wide range of duties including media management, events management, managing and enhancing CSG’s reputation, and driving both productivity and efficiencies as CSG brings this function together in a consolidated and aggregated form.

About Commercial Services Group

Commercial Services Group (CSG) is an ambitious and successful portfolio of 26 trading brands supporting 16,000 customers globally across the education and public sectors. Generating c£800m in revenue and supported by 1,800 colleagues, our group delivers a wide range of services including energy management, recruitment and HR services, legal, IT, education and procurement services, waste and facilities management.

Key Duties

• Lead external communication activity including public affairs, press/announcements and the single CSG voice
• Develop and implement a media strategy and plan and coordinate for the Group
• Ensure CSG’s profile online is enhanced and managed; including website, social media, and engagement with other platform
• Create an income strategy for CSG that is part of the overall business plan with agreed activities and targets
• Protect and enhance CSG’s reputation with key stakeholders including Shareholder representatives, customers, supply chain partners and internal colleagues
• Coordination of delegated divisional and corporate marketing functions to align consistency in voice and message.
• Create and develop content libraries including CSG’s social value guidelines
• Aggregated and consolidated supplier negotiations, charity, and sponsorship strategies (ownership of Group value for money).
• Aggregated marketing and PR/comms spend and data analytics for efficiencies and performance improvement
• Responsible for the creation and management of a range of public events and programs, providing thought leadership and promotion of our brands
• Working with divisional and commercial colleagues to develop an external events revenue stream
• Champion the function in all strategic discussions and ensure any decisions made are based on sound financial principles and commercial acumen
• Provide periodic reports and analysis on an ad hoc basis commensurate with the role.

What we need from you:

• University degree (or equivalent) in a relative field (PR, Communications, Marketing) is desirable
• Seasoned Marketing and Communications professional, with track record of strong stakeholder management, including commercial, public sector and political stakeholders at both national and international levels
• Extensive knowledge and understanding of communications, with strong & consistent background in roles within Comms, PR, marketing or engagement
• Understanding and experience within local government or associated organisations, as well as private sector
• Strong commercial acumen to ensure the business achieves a competitive advantage over its competitors
• Impeccable communication skills with the ability to clearly present complex issues and analysis, in a way that is tailored and adapted to a wide range of audiences
• High standard of professional writing and editing skills, with the ability to adapt style to appeal to varied audiences
• Ability to influence colleagues across business functions and teams in this highly matrixed role
• Proven ability of identifying, managing and delivering effective communication strategies across a multi-disciplinary organisation
• High attention to detail alongside data analytical skills, allowing effective cost benefit analysis and benchmarking to inform and drive considered public affairs and communication activity

In return, CSG will offer you:

• 25 days holiday, plus bank holidays
• Birthday off work
• Life assurance cover
• Bupa Private Healthcare
• Company pension
• Flexible first, hybrid working
• A culture of progression & development
• Shopping discounts & retailer offers
• Team & company events
• Health & Wellbeing platform
• Health Cash Plan initiative
• Discounted gym membership