Line Manager: CEO
Direct Line-management Responsibility: None
Full time permanent contract
Oxford Archaeology is one of the largest independent archaeological practices in Europe working on the most exciting range of projects. We’re a registered charity and have offices in Oxford, Lancaster, and Cambridge.
Role purpose
This is a new and exciting position, giving a unique opportunity to play an important part in our preparations for our 50th anniversary year in 2023, and beyond. You will have a key role in communicating with OA’s stakeholders: its clients, staff, the archaeological community, volunteers, and the public at large, in line with our 2020-25 Strategy. You will be responsible for raising awareness of OA as a leading archaeological and heritage practice and charity in the UK, via social media, digital and marketing channels, and internal communications.
You will…
- Lead OA’s Communications Team to deliver OA’s Communications Plan and raise OA’s profile in the outside world. This will entail, in particular, promoting OA’s public engagement, research and charitable objectives, and advocating the value of heritage in society.
- Work with the CEO, OA’s Senior Management Team, and the Community Archaeology Manager to develop and implement OA’s Communications Policy and Procedures, and understand and respond to communications issues at OA.
- Develop and deliver activities for OA’s 50th anniversary in 2023.
- Work with the COO and their team to assist key clients to deliver social value from their developments, and to maintain good relationships with their communications teams.
- Plan and implement effective communications and marketing strategies, in liaison with our COO, prioritising projects in terms of strategic importance and available resources, and use appropriate analysis and evaluation tools to measure their effectiveness.
- Maintain OA’s Communications Calendar, collating information about forthcoming opportunities and prompting actions related to them and maintain an archive of those activities.
- Work with the OA Community Archaeology Manager and OA project teams with our outreach activities to plan and deliver public engagement events and campaigns.
- Write and commission engaging content, including news stories, press releases and statements as needed, often at short notice, and ensure appropriate circulation and consistent branding.
- Co-ordinate OA’s awards submissions and source, develop and upload content for OA’s website and social media platforms, using analytical tools to improve performance.
Develop relationships with broadcast, digital and print media companies and act as a primary point of contact for press enquiries. Ensure the regular appearance of OA stories in the press and social media and popular archaeology platforms.
You are…
- An experienced strategic communications professional with a demonstrable track record, ideally within the heritage sector or similar.
- Organised with good planning and coordination skills.
- Articulate with well-developed communication and inter-personal skills.
- Collaborative in dealing with colleagues and work well within teams.
- Able to work under pressure.
- Able to provide feedback in a sensitive manner.
- Able to take the initiative and adopt innovative approaches.
- Analytical with good problem-solving skills.
Knowledge and skills required
- Have experience of managing events, such as seminars, conferences, and activities for the public, and of dealing with external communications teams.
- Possess strong writing skills and the ability to produce high-quality, targeted, and timely copy and communications content quickly.
- Have an awareness of data protection and compliance issues and the sensitivities of those who might feature in communications outputs.
- Excellent IT skills including Office and social media platforms.
- Have experience of one or more web content management systems.
- Be familiar with Google Analytics.
Other requirements
- Full current driving licence.
- Willingness to work away from home from time to time.
- An interest in the archaeology or heritage sector is desirable but not essential.
Employee benefits
- Salary range £34,596 to £44,285 (appointments will be made based on demonstrated ability and previous experience).
- 36 days holiday (including statutory holidays and concessionary days at Christmas).
- Company pension scheme.
- Payment of a relevant professional subscription.
- Enhanced maternity pay (qualifying period).
- Cycle to work scheme.
- Open to hybrid working.
Recruitment process
If you would like to join the team, click 'Apply Now' to complete an application form and submit your CV and cover letter outlining your suitability for the role.
Closing Date: 3rd June 2022
Interviews will take place either on Teams, or at Janus House, Oxford, OX2 0ES, in the week commencing 4th July 2022. You will be asked to begin with a 10-minute presentation on the challenges faced by this role and why you think you have the relevant skills to tackle them.
Learn more about us…
Read our strategy: https://oxfordarchaeology.com/our-strategy
Further background information about the charity is also available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/charity-commission
Oxford Archaeology is an Equal Opportunities employer. All applications are judged on the relevant skills and experience of the candidate, and not by gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, belief, age, nationality (other than where work permits may be required), or ethnicity. You must meet the requirements to live and work in the UK, as set out by UK Visa and Immigration - see https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration
Registered Charity No. 285627; Company Registration No. 1618597