Interim opportunity at prestigious Royal College
Ellwood Atfield are excited to be partnering with the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) to appoint an interim, six-month, Head of Public Relations.
The interim Head of Public Relations will provide leadership in implementing the RCGP’s corporate strategy, in line with the College’s policy, campaigns and clinical priorities, to ensure the College is seen as the ‘voice’ of general practice.
The successful postholder will oversee the external communication of the College’s key messages in order to help the organisation achieve its strategic priorities and deliver impact.
We are seeking a highly capable communications professional who has operated at a senior level and is able to hit the ground running and make an impact in a major, high-profile, membership organisation.
Skills and Experience
- Significant experience in PR, corporate communications and/or journalism, with a track record of generating significant coverage and protecting corporate reputation.
- Excellent written and verbal communication and networking skills
- Proven track record of success as a senior media relations professional with experience of developing and implementing media management strategies informed by brand values and guidelines delivering business priorities
- Proven ability to build productive relationships with senior stakeholders, including managing difficult relationships with stakeholders
- Proven ability to build productive relationships with senior journalists across national and specialist media
- Strong negotiation skills with proven ability to influence key stakeholders
- Significant demonstrable experience of providing high-level strategic support and counsel to the most senior levels of the organisation, including the devising and implementation of effective crisis management strategies
- Exceptional track record of dealing with complex and politically sensitive issues
- Evidence of working collaboratively to engage a range of internal and external partners to achieve demanding corporate reputation objectives
- Management experience in developing and maximising the potential of professional team including staff, members and freelance contractors in a hybrid working environment
- Ability to adapt and work effectively and deal with ambiguity in a complex environment.
Knowledge
- Working knowledge of healthcare sector and/or membership body desirable
- Excellent understanding of current member needs and issues
- Understanding of the complexity of working for a membership based organisation
- Understanding of legislation to the extent that it affects communicating campaign, policy and political messaging, and lobbying.
To apply
Please submit your CV via the portal on this page by 26 May, interviews will take place on a rolling basis so please apply as soon as possible.