Communications Manager, ESATJ

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We work directly with individuals to help them gain the skills, confidence and connections to transform their lives and shape a better world in partnership with the UK. We support them to build networks and explore creative ideas, to learn English, to get a high-quality education and to gain internationally recognised qualifications.

Working with people in over 200 countries and territories, we are on the ground in more than 100 countries. In 2021–22 we reached 650 million people.

Job Title: Communications Manager, ESATJ

Pay band: 6 / G

Location this role could be based: Tokyo, Japan

Department: Exams

Contract type: Indefinite

Role Purpose

To develop and implement the communications strategy and plan for a strategic partnership project in Japan. The Communications Manager will be responsible for internal communication, external communications planning and delivery, including media management, PR, events and stakeholder communications in Japan. They will work closely with internal and external key stakeholders, execute plans that strengthen and integrate marketing initiatives to continue to engage current audiences, identify and attract new ones and create greater awareness of a flagship programme for the British Council.

Main accountabilities

Strategy and Planning

• Manages implementation of communications strategy and plan for the ESATJ programme
• Manages the delivery of internal and external communications campaigns, advice and activities, ensuring that messages are consistent and support the objectives of our client, TMBE.
• Manages communication of the British Council’s profile to internal and external stakeholders working closely with the Cluster Communications Manager, who is based in Japan.
• Manages media relations activities related to the project.
• Ensures that communications maintain the reputation of the British Council.
• Plans and co-ordinates countries’ internal and change communications activities to improve effectiveness, audience impact and eliminate duplication to ensure employees at every level have the right information to perform their roles.
• Ensures that internal, change, media and stakeholder communications risks and issues are effectively managed and mitigated with support from wider Communications team.
• Ensures that communications messages are consistent, are aligned to regional communications strategy and support the British Council brand.

Consultancy, analysis & problem-solving

• Applies communications expertise to provide advice to colleagues and business leads and deliver agreed programmes of work.
• Applies analytical approaches to identify and assess current state of communications, define opportunities for improvement, implement agreed projects and initiatives, ensuring consistency with regional communications plans and approaches.
• Delivers appropriate communications initiatives and interventions to support programme needs.
• Builds an in-depth understanding of the operational context, opportunities and challenges for communications within the programme.
• Makes appropriate linkages to issues across the broader organisation and region, to ensure that the delivery of communications projects and initiatives is based on informed business insight and joined-up thinking.
• Proactively seeks internal customer and other stakeholder feedback to monitor satisfaction with the standard of communications advice and business support provided, enabling improvements to be made where issued are identified.

Business Development

• Ensures joined up delivery of communications projects and initiatives.
• Consistently applies the agreed global communications and brand standards, templates and processes, or where applicable applies standards and templates devised specifically for the project.
• Supports the reviews of impact and effectiveness of communications projects and initiatives and identifies opportunities for improvement.

Subject/Sector expertise

• Provides expert advice, support and challenge on communications to colleagues and other stakeholders.
• Delivers high quality and effective communications plans and solutions using established processes, tools and systems to ensure consistency.
• Proactively pursues an annual cycle of formally recognised Continuing Professional Development to maintain and deepen their professional expertise.
• Provides insights on potential risks and work on contingency plan.
• Proactively handle issues/ crisis to minimise damage to reputation.

Commercial and financial management

• Conducts monthly and year-end reporting on progress against plan and deliverables and management of issues and risks.
• Shows an understanding of value for money/cost effectiveness in the advice, recommendations or service support provided across the remit of cluster communications.

Relationship and stakeholder management

• Ensures solid and beneficial relationships with marketing and communications professionals within the strategic project team.
• Develops peer/personal networks within and outside function to enhance own knowledge and expertise.
• Proactively builds and maintains excellent relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.

Leadership and management

• Plans and prioritises own work activities to ensure effective delivery of diverse responsibilities and deliverables over a quarterly to annual time horizon.
• Determines work plans and coordinates input from others (who may be outside the direct management line) to meet specific objectives.

Role specific knowledge and experience

Minimum/essential

• Demonstrable experience in managing communications within a large and complex organisation or agency.
• Experience in providing expert advice and guidance on internal and external communications.
• Experience in managing and mitigating internal and external communications risks and issues.
• Proven record of editorial experience (i.e., proofreading, translation, knowledge of different content types, etc.)
• Proven record of production experience (i.e., leaflet, video, etc.)
• Proven record of event planning and management
• Creative approach to implementing and evaluating communication activities.
• Experience in a global organisation
• Experience of managing digital media such as website and social media
• Experience in handling issues/ crises
• Experience in vendor management.

Desirable

• Experience in a global organisation
• Experience of managing digital media such as website and social media
• Experience in handling issues/ crises
• Experience in vendor management.

Requirements

• Degree (e.g., communications, journalism, marketing) and/or equivalent experience
• The British Council systems and global processes operate in English. Written and verbal proficiency in English is required.
• C2 / Advanced proficiency in Japanese (University Graduate level)
• Knowledge and experience on handling media and stakeholder relationships in Japan
• In-depth understanding of the unique culture of Japan
• Occasional domestic travel

Additional Information

Conditions of Employment: Local Direct Hire (Japan)

• Applications are welcomed from candidates currently in this location with a natural right to work.
• Applications are also welcomed from candidates currently based in other British Council country offices. However, please note candidates must have a natural right to work in the country, on a permanent basis, as immigration clearance and/or on-going visa support is NOT provided by the British Council for this role.  Relocation support is also NOT provided.

Possible Changes to Your Duties

You may be assigned to different duties designated by the British Council to meet operational demands.

Possible Changes to Your Place of Work

You may be transferred to a different workplace designated by the British Council to meet operational demands.

Closing Date: Thursday, 09 May 2024 at 23:59 Singapore Time (GMT+8)

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Equality , Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Statement

The British Council is committed to policies and practices of equality, diversity and inclusion across everything we do. We support all staff to make sure their behaviour is consistent with this commitment.  We want to address under representation and encourage applicants from under-represented groups, in particular, but not exclusively, on grounds of ethnicity and disability.  All disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria are guaranteed an interview and we have Disability Confident Employer Status. We welcome discussions about specific requirements or adjustments to enable participation and engagement in our work and activities.

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We believe that all children and adults everywhere in the world deserve to live in safe environments and have the right to be protected from all forms of abuse, maltreatment and exploitation as set out in article 19, UNCRC (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child) 1989.

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If you have any problems with your application please email askhr@britishcouncil.org

Please note: Applications to this role can only be considered when made through the Apply section of our careers website. Our ‘ASK HR’ email is only to be used in case of a technical issue encountered when applying through the careers website. Emails with supporting statements and CV/Resumes sent to this email address will not be reviewed and will be deleted.