JOB TITLE: Director of Communications

REPORTS TO: Chief Executive Officer

LOCATION: Central London

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

To support the delivery of Breakthrough’s fundraising and charitable objectives by leading our
external communications: developing the communications strategy; promoting our work and
ensuring best use of our brand, pr, online and print communications

As an active and engaged member of the Senior Management, to contribute to the ongoing
success of Breakthrough by developing and delivering an ambitious, integrated and authentic
strategic vision, demonstrating best practice in leadership and management.

KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILTY

(i) As a member of the Senior Management Team

Leadership

• To contribute actively and effectively to the development of corporate strategy and to the
leadership
• To translate strategic objectives and priorities into achievable operating plans and
activities in consultation with key partners and stakeholders
• To champion Breakthrough’s vision and values and set a clear example through personal
and professional behaviour
• To create and nurture a culture that encourages and enables innovation
• To champion cross-organisational objectives and initiatives
• To ensure that risks impacting on strategic and operational plans are identified, monitored
and managed
• To lead on cross organisational projects as required

Governance

• To support the Trustees in meeting their responsibilities for the governance of

Breakthrough, attending and reporting to meetings of the Board.
• To ensure the sourcing of best advice to support Breakthrough’s work, including the
development and operation of committees and advisory panels.
• To deputise for the CEO as required

Financial and Human Resources

• To ensure through active management and regular monitoring the effective and efficient
use of financial and human resources to achieve Breakthrough’s strategic objectives
within allocated budgets
 • To champion the development of staff and to find appropriate ways to develop potential
and talent

Partnerships

• To actively seek opportunities for establishing, building and maintaining successful

internal and external relationships, at all levels
• To establish and maintain timely and inclusive consultation and communication channels
in respect of own Directorate's Operating Plans and activities
• To act as an ambassador for Breakthrough and promote good external relations by
representing the charity at national, regional and local levels

Performance

• To set clear organisational and Directorate performance targets in line with

Breakthrough’s performance management requirements, monitor and report on
achievement and analyse outcomes
• To ensure performance management information is derived and used as an integral part
of the charity’s continual improvement process

Equality and Diversity

• To promote equality, opportunity, diversity and staff cohesion through the adoption of best
practice and by personal example
(ii) As the Director of Communications

This role is responsible for strengthening the profile and recognition of Breakthrough and our
cause, through proactive and innovative communications and engagement, contributing to the
long term success of the organisation as the leading breast cancer charity.

Communications Strategy

• Devise and implement the communications strategy. This to include:

• Leading all staff in the effective use of communications to further our mission
• Demonstrating an impact on achieving our fundraising and charitable goals
• Maximise the effective use and reach of Breakthrough’s brand
• Ensure Breakthrough’s messages are defined, coordinated and delivered in line
with a structured timetable
• Support the building of profile, image, awareness and credibility of Breakthrough’s
work to all our stakeholders
• Establish a robust evaluation of the effectiveness of the on-going communications
plan and the impact of the messaging

PR

• Act as the PR and media advisor to the Senior Management Team and to the Board.
• Ensure the development of proactive opportunities to promote Breakthrough and its work
through all media channels.
• Ensure coordinated media coverage to ensure positive perceptions of Breakthrough.
• Advise on and deal with potentially negative media issues.
• Develop innovative partnerships and relationships with leading media
• Provide an overview of public perceptions and support for Breakthrough
• Act as a media spokesperson for the charity as and when required
Communications
• Ensure the creative development and integration of online and print communications
across all Breakthrough departments and channels, influencing internal working practices
to maximise impact.
• Lead the continuous development of Breakthrough’s online presence to maximise income
and impact
• Ensure that all communications are based on an understanding of target audiences,
channels and a drive for impact as well as output and outcome.

Intelligence

• Monitor, oversee and react to communications activities of related charities, reporting

appropriately to the SMT and Board
• Ensure that our communications are informed by insight gained from the involvement of
stakeholders

Brand

• Ensure the continued successful roll-out of the Breakthrough brand and logo, and ensure
all marketing strategies are fully leveraged.
• Act as the brand guardian ensuring that the brand values are upheld when communicated
internally and externally. Ensure all internal and external stakeholders work in an
integrated way to optimise the use of the brand.
• Lead the evolution of the Breakthrough brand through the development of new activities
and communications which support fundraising and charitable objectives.

Team Management

• Build, manage and motivate a strong communications department and management team
capable of delivering exceptional results under tight time pressures.

External Agencies

• Recruit, brief, manage and evaluate the contribution of external agencies as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES

Education - Degree level

Experience - Significant experience in communications work including visionary online solutions

and developments. Currently operates within a leadership role

Corporate/strategic thinking – provides corporate, strategic and functional leadership

Analytical thinking – ensures complex problems are successfully analysed and appropriate and
robust action plans developed

Planning and organisation – thinks ahead in order to establish an efficient and appropriate
course of action for self and others. Prioritises and plans activities taking into account all the
relevant issues and factors such as deadlines and resources

Leading creativity – fosters imagination, creativity and experimentation, takes and promotes
considered risks, celebrates successes and learns from failure, shows openness to alternative
ways of doing things
Change Management - sets in motion and manages changes from a current state to a desired
future state, effectively

Developing talent – coaches others to build on strengths and to improve on development areas,
gives and listens to regular, honest feedback at all levels

Communication – ensures one’s messages are understood by adopting a range styles, tools
and techniques appropriate to the audience

Influencing and persuading – presents well reasoned arguments. Draws from a range of
strategies to persuade others in a way that results in agreement or behaviour change

Flexibility – adapts and works effectively with a variety of situations, individuals or groups.
Understands and appreciates different and opposing perspectives on an issue, adapts an
approach as the requirements of a situation change

Cause related – demonstrates an understanding of and/of affiliation to our cause

PERSONAL QUALITIES AND ATTRIBUTES

• Inspirational leader
• Sound judgement
• Personal integrity
• Enthusiastic, proactive approach and determination to achieve
• Innovative
• Collaborative & flexible
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Excellent organisational skills

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Salary range: circa £70000 per annum

Term of appointment: One year fixed term contract (maternity cover)

Hours of work: 35 hours per week. We also operate a TOIL scheme.

Annual Leave: 25 days per year plus 3 days between Christmas and New Year in
addition to bank and public holidays