Communications Officer

The IfT is a specialist graduate school for teachers. Our courses have a single purpose - to ensure that teachers are able to keep getting better.

Job title: Communications Officer

Reports to:  External Relations Director

Start date: ASAP

Contract term:  Permanent

Location: London

Salary:  £24,000–29,000 depending on experience plus £3,000 London weighting and 11% pension contribution

What is the role?

This is an opportunity to join a high performing team committed to ensuring that all children get an excellent education. The Communications officer will: 

· Use your imagination to work creatively with the External Relations Director to deliver eye catching and engaging information to relevant audiences. 

· Be the first port of call for media inquiries, arranging responses, briefings and interviews with journalists. 

· Provide a monthly media monitoring report for internal stakeholders. 

· Keep a close eye on the external environment; inputting into internal calendars and co-planning documents. 

· Co-ordinate events and conferences owning the invitation process and on the day support. 

· Co-ordinate direct mail and social media campaigns. 

· Monitor the website and social media channels and ensure they are leading the debate around teacher education through relevant and regular updates.

· Maintain the teams' contact databases, build stakeholder lists and manages the dissemination of reports.

· Other duties as required to support effective communications and a successful organisation.

What will the team look like?

You will be working alongside the recruitment and communications teams, reporting to the External Relations Director, Nicki Whiteman, a communications specialist and former BBC journalist with a track record of working in the education sector. 

What’s the context?

The IfT is a rapidly growing organisation. This means that:

· You’ll feel an ownership over our vision and mission; 

· The team will start small and grow quickly; 

· There will be few established processes and norms;

· There will be frequent change; 

· There will be a need for constant prioritisation as resources will be limited; 

· There will be an expectation of flexibility - this is not a nine-to-five job and everyone will need to pitch in; and,

· You’ll have an understanding of all aspects of our work in the early stages and as we grow you’ll need to make the shift to increased specialisation. 

What will be required of you?

· Some evening and weekend work as required to support and facilitate the programme.

· Some travel within England (particularly the South Coast, North West and West Midlands).

· Significant initial commitment during this early phase.

What are the benefits?

· Pension: 11% pension employer contribution.

· Annual Leave: 25 days per year (in addition to bank holidays).

· Please note that the IfT is currently incubated by the multi-academy trust Ark, and your employment contract will therefore be with Ark Schools.

To apply for the role please email the following no later than 5pm on Sunday October 22nd to hr@ift.education: 

1. A supporting letter (no more than 2 sides) outlining how your knowledge, skills and experience meet the requirement of role; 
2. Your CV (maximum 2 sides); and
3. We would also be grateful if you could include a completed equal opportunities form, which you can download here.