The Design Council enables people to use design to transform communities, business and the environment for the better. As an enterprising charity, our work places design at the heart of creating value by stimulating innovation in business and public services, improving our built environment and tackling complex social issues. We inspire new design thinking, encourage public debate and inform government policy to improve everyday life and help meet tomorrow’s challenges today.
How does this role fit in with the bigger picture?
Design Council has completed a strategic review of the organisation. The key strengths of the charity are:
1. Our power to convene partners and unlock challenges
2. Our Community of expertise and partner ecosystem
3. Our independence, impartiality and emphasis on the public good
4. Our charitable not-for-profit status
5. Our use of data and measurement
6. Our role as pioneering thought leaders and policy influencers
The post holder will bring together the Policy, Research and Marketing teams to support the execution of the new strategy. Key areas of focus for the post-holder will be our use of data and measurement and our role as pioneering thought leaders and policy influencers. Both of these facets will be informed by the strategic design programmes we deliver across the country for local government and a wide range of other private and third sector organisations. Our relationship with government is underpinned by a grant from Department of Business, Innovation & Skills to the Design Council to make the case and grow the market for design in areas of the economy where it is underused.
This role will work closely with the Executive Directors in the development and delivery of the organisational strategy and be part of the Senior Leadership Team.
The post holder will be responsible for developing the research and evaluation processes and frameworks that support the delivery of the Design Council’s evidence base and initiating and leading research projects. The resultant evidence base will inform, lead and prioritise the Design Council’s policy, public affairs and marketing activities, and in turn the development of future programmes and partnerships.
It is envisaged that the postholder will lead a team of 13 FTE, including a Head of Marketing who will lead the day to day marketing function and be operationally responsible for the delivery for the marketing and communications services to the business.
What does a Director of Policy and Communications do?
Policy
- Lead on the development of design debate with a wide range of partners to generate knowledge and evidence that can influence policy.
Government liaison
- Be a key contact with government, feeding in design issues, evidence and thinking so that design can be integrated into national and local policies.
Public Relations
- Lead the development of our public relations strategy working with Directors and where appropriate external agencies to position the Design Council and its activities, evidence and insight across the public and private sector with agreed target audiences and interest groups.
Research & Evaluation
- Lead and direct key business function of research and evaluation, working closely with the Research and Evaluation Manager
Marketing and Communications
- Lead and direct key business functions of marketing and communications through the Head of Marketing.
Partnerships
- Support the development of partnerships with key organisations who can assist in the delivery of the agreed annual plan, building long-term, strategically robust relationships that are mutually beneficial.
People/Team Management
- Recruit and build the team required to support the delivery of an annual programme of activity, utilising both full time and contract staff, as well as specialist agencies as required;
- Manage the short and long term motivation and management both of the individuals and of the team, ensuring that they deliver against their job descriptions and against the mission and values of the Design Council.
Corporate Responsibilities
- Demonstrate leadership in the identification and management of risks which face both the organisation and your specific area of responsibility;
- Demonstrate leadership in financial management and control within your area of responsibility and across the Design Council;
- Ensure you and your team comply with the Design Council operational policies and procedures including financial and risk management, project management and evaluation processes, brand guide lines and internal health and safety policy;
- Manage the agreed budget for your area of responsibility, including but not limited to: setting the budget, authorising expenditure, managing actual expenditure and variance, providing forecasts, monitoring and reporting performance as required.
Competencies
- Policy - Experience of influencing and informing debate and strategy through policy insight and influencing change through policy;
- Government Liaison - Playing a lead role with government feeding into design issues and policy at a local and national level;
- Public Relations – understanding and experience of Public Relations and working with agencies;
- Partnerships – Ability to develop commercial and strategically beneficial partnerships;
- People & Team Management - Create and lead a multi-skilled, integrated team that supports the business and experts to deliver their programmes;
- Research & Evaluation – Provide framework and direction to the team to ensure research and insight are at the heart of programmes;
- Communications - provide framework and direction for key business functions of marketing and communications through the Head of Marketing.
Behaviours
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with particular attention on accuracy, ensuring information is evidenced and relevant for both internal and external audiences;
- High level relationship management and strong leadership skills;
- Excellent networker with the ability to make connections across sectors and interest groups to further strategic goals;
- Outstanding listening, negotiating and influencing skills;
- A highly capable team leader with a demonstrable track record of building, mentoring and developing a talented team;
- Experience of operating at a senior level, providing sound and innovative solutions and initiatives.