Head of Communications and Public Relations

The Society of Authors

Hours
35 hours per week

About the Organisation

UK's largest trade union for all types of writers, illustrators, and literary translators. We have been advising authors and speaking out for the profession since 1884. With over 12,500 members, the Society of Authors (SoA) provides unlimited, confidential advice on all aspects of the business of authorship, including the clause-by-clause vetting of publishing and other contracts.

As a union, we promote, protect, and campaign on the business of authorship on issues ranging from artificial intelligence and author incomes, through to copyright and contractual law. We run and support hundreds of events each year, including professional training and industry discussions, and member-led community events online and around the UK. We also manage several charities that award grants and prizes, distributing circa £700,00 per annum, and we manage over fifty literary estates.

About the role

The role of Head of Communications and PR at the Society of Authors oversees the strategic communications for the UK’s leading author body, with many exciting and important stories to tell. Responsible for all aspects of the SoA’s external communications, you will develop integrated communications and campaign strategies that reflect our values of being member-focused, authoritative, supportive, and inclusive of all UK authors.

You will be proactive about promoting, protecting, and campaigning on authors’ interests through strategic communications and campaigns. You will work collaboratively with the Policy and Public Affairs team and with all departments at the Society of Authors (SoA). The Head of Communications and PR will focus on developing and delivering strategies to raise the SoA’s profile, influence, and visibility.

Responsibilities

External Communications:

• Develop and deliver proactive and reactive communications and PR plans, reflecting the SoA’s mission, purpose, and values, including regular reporting, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Provide strategic counsel on comms and reputational issues.
• Oversee and develop the SoA’s narrative and align communications strategies to promote, protect, and campaign on authors’ interests in the UK publishing industry.
• Ensure consistent branding, narrative, and presentation across all communications outputs and materials, including the Society of Authors’ website.
• Manage effective external communications outputs, including media relations, events, and digital communications.
• Manage effective communication of the SoA’s work to members.
• Support the function and output of member groups and give strategic communications advice to the Board and Senior Leadership Team.
• Build the press and media profile of the SoA as a source of expertise about authors, their rights, and business interests.
• Build and maintain contact with lead editors, section editors, and journalists across the trade media and national media, ensuring the organisation is the media’s first port of call on issues of relevance to UK authors and the publishing industry.
• Oversee our wide range of print and digital publications, which may include researching, compiling, writing, designing, and proofing publications in liaison with key staff.
• Work with the Communications and Campaigns Manager to develop the website and social media output and their place in the overall communications and PR strategy.
• Manage our outward news and strategy, monitoring external and internal events and activities, and coordinating reactive and proactive responses.
• Support the CEO and Policy and Public Affairs team by leading on media activity to support our lobbying and campaigns work, to include monitoring and researching key issues; drafting press releases, supporting government submissions and briefings.
• Increase engagement with key stakeholders and organisations within the industry.
• Oversee and contribute to the creation of promotional copy and materials.
• Effectively line manage the relevant roles within the communications team.
• Commission work and lead relationships with relevant external providers and agencies.

Internal Communications:

• Schedule and chair meetings related to all SoA communications.
• Report and present strategy, plans, evaluations, and feedback to various stakeholders, including the Board and Senior Leadership team.
• Provide regular monitoring reports on all SoA communications channels.
• Ensure colleagues are aware of all communications activities and developments.
• Develop relationships across the organisation to ensure all teams and activities are represented in SoA communications.
• Offer guidance, training, and support to staff involved in communications activities.

Skills, Competencies & Experience

Essential:

• Exceptional communication skills (written and oral).
• Adept at working with the media, members, and key audiences to further the SoA’s interests.
• Considerable experience in a senior communications role.
• High level of curiosity and intellect, which can be applied to the wide-ranging and complex issues. associated with publishing and the broader creative industries.
• Strong digital expertise including website management, email campaigns, and social media.
• Experience in developing and executing successful communications and social media strategies.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure, working to tight deadlines while exercising sound judgment and maintaining high attention to detail.
• Experience in handling issues and crisis communications
• Experience in line management, budgetary management, and advising senior staff on communications.
• Highly developed decision-making skills and ability to build consensus.
• Energy, enthusiasm, commitment, and proven ability to effectively lead and motivate people

Desirable:

• Deep knowledge of the UK media landscape.
• Full understanding of digital media and relevant communications tools.
• Knowledge of the publishing sector and a belief in the value of the creative industries. 

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Annual leave allowance
• Cycle-to-work scheme
• Death-in-service benefit
• Employee assistance programme
• Family-friendly, disability-confident, inclusive culture
• Generous annual leave, including all bank holidays
• Salary exchange pension scheme
• Interest-free annual travel card loan
• Office closure over Christmas
• Private healthcare

Working locations

• Hybrid model, working in the London office and remotely

How to apply

• To apply, please send your CV and a personal statement which demonstrates how your skills and expertise meet our requirements (max. 2 x A4 pages) to: [email protected]
• To arrange an informal conversation about this role, please contact CEO Anna Ganley at [email protected].

Policies

Inclusion, diversity, and representation are at the core of our values, and we work to tackle structural discrimination and prejudice. Part of this commitment means that we are looking to increase diversity in our organisation at all levels. We strongly encourage applications from a broad range of social, cultural, educational, and underrepresented backgrounds.

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