Head of the Global Communications & Marketing Hub, G7 (Maternity Leave Cover)

ALL applicants must submit their application on the FCO tal.net site: https://lnkd.in/eKHeQ3Zr

Main Purpose of Job:

We are searching for an outstanding candidate to take on the role of Head of the Global Communications & Marketing Hub for the UK’s Department for Business and Trade (DBT) for a 12-month maternity leave cover.

DBT is an international organisation, with offices in the UK and around the world. Our communication and marketing (C&M) function is headquartered in the UK, with an outpost in Hong Kong covering a global network of over 90 professionals with regional capability and delivery responsibilities in nine global regions.

This role, working together with the counterpart Head of the Global Communications & Marketing Hub based in the UK, is responsible for bringing together our Department’s C&M capabilities in the UK and overseas regions. The purpose of the Hub is to ensure we work together as a global C&M apparatus to draft, develop and deliver outstanding international communications strategies, content and activities which help advance UK Government business and trade objectives and support British exports, investment, trade policy and market access goals.

The job holder will not directly implement communications and marketing campaigns but will work as a facilitator to coordinate and improve campaigns driven by others, from conception to evaluation. The post holder will need to work effectively with and through others across DBT’s C&M functions, providing operational leadership and direction to colleagues working on international priorities.

The post holder will report directly to the Deputy Director of Communications and Marketing, based in the UK.

What the Jobholder will be Expected to Achieve:

Senior Stakeholder Management

• Establish and leverage strong working relationships with Regional Heads of C&M of the nine global regions, and their senior leadership teams when required, and help them engage with and support HQ and regional priorities, objectives, and operations.
• Provide regional teams with strategic C&M guidance, best practice and advice to develop outcome-focused campaigns using relevant overseas-facing government brands.
• Work closely with the heads of each UK C&M functional team (e.g. press office, strategic comms, internal comms, international marketing, brand and design, etc.), establishing effective working relationships and helping those teams engage with and support the international C&M network.
• Provide HQ teams with advice on the context, challenges and opportunities of the International C&M Network to set enlightened strategies, influence the direction of future global campaigns and tailor global campaigns for local audiences.
• Work with teams and senior leadership across other government departments when required, to maximise resources and share ideas.

Strategy and Alignment

• Co-lead the team’s strategy and alignment work with the counterpart Head of the Global C&M Hub role based in the UK.
• Think globally and cross-regionally to identify and exploit synergies, and share best practices to maximise content, assets, processes and structures.
• Improve alignment and engagement, feeding into strategic campaigns, with more joined up annual marketing, communications and media planning. Ensure that all nine global regions develop and deliver against a robust and measurable annual marketing and communications plan.
• Add value to local and regional C&M activity, developing and acting as the Senior Responsible Officer (SRO) for regional C&M campaigns with a clear focus on achieving commercial outcomes.
• Establish and embed collective, consultative processes and ways of working between HQ and the International C&M Network, ensuring that work delivered overseas is visible in HQ and that the needs of the network are factored into central departmental planning and decision-making.
• Take operational responsibility for the engagement processes and structures between HQ and the International C&M Network, ensuring an effective flow of information.
• Take day-to-day ownership for progress against and delivery of the continuous professional development of colleagues across the international C&M network, in particular ensuring that Government Communications Service (GCS) professional standards, tools and methodologies are embedded across the network.

Team Leadership

• Develop and manage the Hong Kong-based Hub team of five people, with direct line management responsibilities for three of these. Provide leadership, guidance and mentorship to help the team develop skills and learning in line with challenges and personal development plans to fulfil their objectives effectively. Build a trusting and productive team culture.
• Support the effective operationalisation of the Hub team and ensure it integrates with the operations of UK HQ. Oversee the team's work:
  • Driving capability building across the International C&M Network, creating a strong virtual network of C&M professionals across the world.
  • Planning and executing strategic C&M campaigns to support major activations across the world.
  • Providing creative direction, design/production support and brand guardianship globally.
• Deputise for the Deputy Director of Communications in his role as Head of Profession for the network, including mentoring colleagues as needed.

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

• Strategic Communications & Campaigns Lead
• Creative & Design Lead
• Senior Marketing Manager

Essential qualifications, skills and experience

• Highly proficient/excellent in English
• Significant professional experience in communications, marketing or associated fields
• Experience of working to co-ordinate the work of others
• An understanding and appreciation of the complexities of working in a global environment
• A willingness to work in a flexible way, recognising the needs of others (e.g. time zones, culture etc.)
• A high degree of fluency in spoken and written English
• Ability to effectively and credibly engage with stakeholders, including the ability to communicate effectively at senior levels of government, business and media
• Evidence of strong relationship and account management skills and a demonstrated ability to think strategically
• Ability to work across multiple teams and with partners based in different locations
• Commitment to being part of a diverse and engaged team (all staff are expected to contribute to the wider objectives of the British Consulate-General Hong Kong’s network and to support the Consulate’s positive working environment)

Language Requirements:

• Fluent English
• Spoken: Excellent/Highly Proficient
• Written: Excellent/Highly Proficient

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience

• Prior experience in a governmental or not-for-profit communications and marketing environment
• Experience working outside the UK
• A track record of developing professional skills in colleagues
• Professional project management experience

Please note that the deadline for applications is 23:55 on 24 November 2024 (Hong Kong standard time).