Overview

Our aim is for everyone in the National Church Institutions (NCIs) to feel that they belong, and are valued for who they are and what they contribute. Together, our people contribute in different ways towards our common purpose, whichever NCI they work in and whatever their background.

Working closely with the Director of Communications, Head of Media and Digital and senior staff, the Digital Communications Manager develops and implements digital strategies to engage diverse audiences and communicate the Archbishop’s ministry priorities.

Post Introduction

This is a unique opportunity to strategically develop, grow and maintain the Archbishop’s digital channels so they engage diverse audiences.

As Digital Communications Manager you will be responsible for managing the Archbishop’s website and social media channels, and developing digital projects that support the Archbishop’s ministry. You will draft social media content, and contribute to media relations activity where required – including drafting statements, articles and press releases.

The working hours for this post will be 35 hours per week however we are happy to offer flexibility and hybrid working. Occasional out of hours working at weekends and evenings is a requirement. Further details will be discussed at interview.

We work as a close-knit team in beautiful surroundings, part of the Lambeth Palace community, supporting each other with care, flexibility and good humour.

To arrange an informal conversation please contact siobhann.tighe@lambethpalace.org.uk

Closing date: 20^th July 2023

Interview date: 26^th July 2023

The Church of England is for everyone and we want to reflect the diversity of the community the Church serves across the whole country.  This is a priority for the Archbishops. Therefore, while of course we welcome all applications from interested and suitably experienced people, we particularly welcome applicants from UK Minority Ethnic backgrounds and people with disabilities.  

We offer a unique environment with opportunities for continuous learning, generous annual leave for work life balance, season ticket loans and a range of benefits including discounted entry to attractions and what we feel is a market leading package when it comes to our pension scheme.

Role Responsibility

The Role

• Working with senior colleagues, develop, implement and monitor a content strategy for our social media channels.
• With the Head of Media and Digital, develop new strategies, projects and work streams for communicating the Archbishop and Church of England’s priorities and areas of work.
• Taking primary day-to-day responsibility for the Archbishop’s website and social media channels. Planning, curating, and scheduling daily content. Managing a social media grid of content for our channels.
• Managing the Archbishop’s website, including writing news stories, and editing and preparing transcripts for publication.
• Advising senior staff on opportunities to publish content and engage with trending topics on social media.
• Manage and lead projects to develop Lambeth Palace’s social media channels, with responsibility for scoping, managing internal and external stakeholders, delivery, and analysing results.
• Taking official photographs for the Archbishop at meetings and engagements; commissioning freelance photographers where needed.
• Identifying social media opportunities (such as campaigns, social trends, awareness days) through horizon scanning.
• Updating our social media channels and the website out of hours, when required.
• Working closely with colleagues in the Church of England, Bishopthorpe, Anglican Communion Office communications teams to coordinate digital publishing.
• Drafting a range of other communications materials if required, including press releases and statements.

The Ideal Candidate

The Requirements

Essential

Skills/Aptitudes:

• Excellent writing, copy-editing and proofreading skills – ability to write clearly without mistakes.
• Excellent digital skills, including industry standard tools, particularly digital channel management software such as content management systems (CMSs), social networks, evaluation and analytics tools, such as Sprout Social.
• Excellent interpersonal skills – builds consensus and positive relationships within and across teams.
• Highly organised, and able to maintain this in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience of working in a digital or media role for a national organisation.
• Experience of managing high-profile social media accounts.
• Track record of taking projects, ideas and initiatives from concept through to delivery.
• Awareness of social media trends and clear understanding of the role of social media within digital marketing and communications.
• Understanding of the values and beliefs of the Church of England, and the role, profile and priorities of the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Knowledge/Experience:

• Experience of writing clear, accessible and compelling copy for online audiences.
• IT skills including Microsoft Office software, audio editing software including Cool Edit Pro, and video editing software, preferably Final Cut Pro, as well as Photoshop and Content Management Systems.

Personal Attributes:

• Capacity to prioritise and deliver high quality work under pressure.
• Comfortable and confident promoting the Church of England and faith in Jesus Christ in the digital public square.
• A desire to bring more people to faith in Jesus Christ and deepen people’s faith.
• A team player with a can-do attitude, willing to pull together with colleagues at busy times.
• Ability to work on own initiative and see projects through from conception to delivery, as well as working within a team.

Circumstances:

• Occasional out of hours working at weekends and evenings is a requirement.

Desirable

Skills/Aptitudes:

Knowledge/Experience:

• Experience of working in a high-profile press office or communications team.

About Us

In the National Church Institutions (NCIs), we support the mission and ministries of the Church of England. We work with parishes, dioceses, schools, chaplaincies and other ministries, and with national and international partners including mission agencies, and other denominations and faith groups.-.  

Find out more about working for the National Church Institutions by visiting Careers | The Church of England

NCI values

• We strive for excellence 
• We collaborate 
• We act with integrity 
• We show compassion 
• We respect others 

We welcome everyone and we accept and value people for who they are and what they contribute, treating others in the way we would wish to be treated ourselves. We actively listen to and include others, encouraging and enabling everyone’s voice to be heard in discussions and decisions. When we disagree, we aim to disagree well with respect and kindness.  

We want to encourage applications from a diverse group of people. Even if you have never thought about working for us before, if you have the skills and experience we’re looking for then we would like to hear from you. If there is anything we can do to support you in your application please get in touch via email to hr.recruitment@churchofengland.org.

• As a Disability Confident Leader, we actively look to attract, recruit and retain those of you who are disabled.  
• We are a member of the Armed Forces Covenant, and welcome applications from those of you who have served in our Armed Forces and their families.