Director Communication Job at The British Council, Abuja

The British Council is the world's leading cultural relations organization and creates opportunities for people in the UK and worldwide to understand each other, to work together and learn from one another. We see this as crucial to building secure, more prosperous and sustainabl futures for us all.
We build trust and understanding between different countries and cultures and develop strong international links that are of benefit to people in Britain and the rest of the world.

The British Council is recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Director Communication

Pay Band: 8
Location: Lagos
Duration of job: Indefinite Contract

Job Description

• To directly contribute to growing British Council Nigeria’s operation, building positive perceptions of the British Council and the UK, with the British Council as a leading global Cultural Relations organisation.
• He /she will be comfortable with a highly visible role, during a period of significant growth.
• He/she will have a broad base of corporate communications experience and have previously led high performing teams.
• The post holder must also display a deep understanding of the organisation’s aims, stakeholders and target audiences, the Nigeria operating context and the ability to connect with operational colleagues.
• To lead on the strategic delivery of (marketing and) communications in Nigeria, including raising the profile of programmes, activities and impact with key stakeholder groups.
• To  provide leadership for the marketing / communications staff in country, to build communications capacity in the Strategic Business Unit (SBU) project staff, and embed communications at the heart of our projects and programme portfolio, ensuring important media presence, and by contributing to building long-term relationships with all major stakeholders and target groups.
• The post holder will be a key member of the Nigeria Senior Leadership Team, working collaboratively with the UK and regional SSA MarComms Teams and will be accountable for the MarComms function and line management of the: Marketing Manager; Digital and Social Media Manager; Marketing Insight Manager.

• Lead the development and delivery of the Nigeria MarComms strategy working with the Nigeria Executive and Senior Leadership Teams, the regional Comms and Digital team and relevant corporate teams.
• Ensure that a robust MarComms plan with agreed targets is developed that reflects the strategic focus for the Nigeria operation.
• Work collaboratively ensuring stakeholder mapping and analysis is up to date and appropriate, enabling deliver of strategy and plans.

• Build and lead an engaged and effective MarComms function that operates professionally, flexibly and creatively meeting the needs of the Nigeria operation and regional stakeholders
• Deliver external communications for the Nigeria country operation ensuring consistency of message across all media including print and digital communication materials. Write, proof and edit content.
• Build capacity in brand management: focusing on consistency, style and tone a of communication, quality in events management and ensure British Council  brand compliance of all communication and marketing materials
• Build and lead a team of communication managers across the Nigeria operation to effectively manage the flow of information and planning. 
• Manage procurement of MarComms related goods and services ensuring value for money, quality and delivery - in line with corporate standards and policies
• Oversee the commissioning of quality photography & videography which creatively captures our work and impact
• Develop and maintain MarComms ‘collateral’ including images, videography, reach and impact data / stories
• Budget management for the MarComms budget in line with corporate standards.
• Develop and leverage potential for business growth through: research; stakeholder / audience analysis; impact stories; high quality Marketing and Communications campaigns.
• Create and maintain an up-to-date calendar of events and work proactively with key staff regionally to ensure activities are promoted in an effective and timely way. Develop impact stories and case studies presenting  evidence-based impact at country/regional/UK levels
• Maintain and provide reference information as needed to support regional and country based communication and marketing activities
• Develop and manage relationships with key locally based national and international journalists and media institutions.
• Lead Internal communications to ensure that colleagues in the region, the UK and more widely are fully informed and engaged with the aims and impact of British Council Nigeria’s activities. Write, proof and edit content.
• Work collaboratively with a diverse teams incorporating, SBU heads, project managers, regional and country communication communities, embedding MarComms in all that we do
• Together with the regional / UK digital teams, ensure digital content, for websites, social media sites, e-mail marketing, and online campaigns is created.
• Work with the regional and country marketing and communication managers to ensure that communications and marketing outcome targets are met
• Provide analyses of communication and marketing activities and brand penetration. Contribute to monitoring and evaluation in respect of communication and marketing  for the region and Nigeria

• Demonstrate effective leadership of Nigeria MarComms staff and ensure that line management of staff is to British Council standards.
• Ensure that capability and capacity in the MarComms team is fit-for-purpose and able to respond flexibly to changes in the portfolio and operating context.
• Ensure MarComms training for members of the immediate team, operational staff and Senior Leadership Team (where appropriate).
• Actively contribute to the Business Services Leadership team.
• Coach and support individuals and teams.
• Model appropriate leadership styles and British Council behaviours and ensure that staff work in alignment with British Council Values at all times
• Actively support equality and diversity and work to the British Council’s EDI policy at all times

• As a member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), contribute actively on country level strategy, leadership, planning and delivery. 
• Maintain close working relationships with all senior colleagues, seeking out and maximising collaborative working opportunities e.g. with Education and Exams to support achievement of impact in Nigeria.
• Provide MarComms support as required to the West Africa country cluster.

• Manage talent and succession planning effectively within the Nigeria MarComms team and SBU teams.
• Ensure career planning, development planning and continuous professional development are embedded in the MarComms and SBU teams.
• Engage in professional networks and continuous professional development to ensure that knowledge and expertise are kept updated.

• Country Director, the Nigeria Executive Team and Senior Leadership Team
• Regional Communications & Digital teams
• National and International media
• Suppliers including marketing, communications, PR and events management
• Key partners and customer groups
• Relevant colleagues in British High Commission
• UK based Marketing, Brand and Communications teams (including Press Office)
• Key colleagues in Strategic Business Units (SBUs)

• Established experience in multi-channel marketing and communications including on-line, offline, internal and external communications, branding and media relations, events management.
• Experience managing a team
• University degree
• Professional qualification in communications, marketing, PR or journalism
• Experience of managing marketing campaigns effectively with successful outcomes
• Experience of building and managing effective relationships with media and suppliers