The Society for General Microbiology are seeking a Public Affairs Manager to be responsible for overseeing the strategic initiatives for communicating key messages and also promoting the public understanding of microbiology to a diverse range of stakeholders. They will lead on the development and coordination of key strategic policy, education and outreach initiatives across the Society to ensure that our campaign strategies and activities make a real difference.
This is an exciting time to join the Society as we are currently in the process of developing the policy road map and outreach strategy which will guide the focus of our work over the next few years. This is a varied and challenging new role and is initially offered for one year.
Purpose
The Public Affairs Manager will be responsible for overseeing the strategic initiatives for communicating key messages and also promoting the public understanding of microbiology to a diverse range of stakeholders to ensure that:
- microbiology issues are high up the political agenda;
- people can make informed decisions which recognise the importance of microbiology and its advances.
The Public Affairs Manager will also be responsible for driving forward the Society’s work on Equality and Diversity.
Requirements
The Public Affairs Manager will support the Head of Communications to deliver the Society’s Strategic Priorities for both Policy and Communications (education and outreach only) and will be an active ambassador for the Society at conferences, meetings and other policy and public events. The role requires the skills and experience to oversee the management of multiple projects simultaneously often within tight timescales. The successful candidate will directly line manage both the Policy Officer and the Education and Outreach Officer.
Duties
Key responsibilities will include (but are not limited to):
- Oversee the work of the Policy Officer and the Education and Outreach Officer;
- Ensure that the organisation has a clear strategy for each policy priority and where possible ensure that we are working with similar organisations to achieve this;
- Ensure that the organisation has a clear strategy for its education and outreach activities and where possible ensure that we are working with similar organisations to achieve this;
- Work with the Public Relations Manager to develop an integrated communications strategy;
- Drive forward the Equality and Diversity policy to ensure that we deliver the recommendations endorsed by Council;
- Manage relationships with the Society's key external stakeholders;
- Undertake other tasks and activities as required by the Head of Communications.
Person Specification
Essential
- Biosciences degree or equivalent;
- Experience of working on a wide portfolio of issues with substantial experience in public affairs with a background in both policy and education or outreach work;
- Excellent knowledge of current affairs and a keenness to engage in the public arena;
- Excellent understanding of government processes and procedures;
- Knowledge and experience of working with the UK Parliament and the devolved regions;
- Excellent communication skills both verbally and in writing;
- Strong project management skills and ability to time manage effectively;
- Excellent working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications;
- Experience to mange stakeholders including politicians, policy-makers, teachers, the public and key messages to these audiences in an influential manner both orally and in writing;
- Experience of writing, editing and publishing;
- Good people manager, with experience of effectively managing resources, budgets, and meeting financial targets.
Desirable
- Knowledge of membership organisations;
- Knowledge of, or interest in the science of microbiology;
- Knowledge and experience of working with the European Parliament;
- Understanding of equality and diversity issues;
- Public Affairs Diploma or equivalent professional qualification.
Background
SGM is Europe’s largest society concerned with the science of microbiology. As well as the five research journals, the Society publishes a quarterly magazine, Microbiology Today, for members.
The SGM headquarters is based at Charles Darwin House (CDH), 12 Roger Street, WC1N 2JU.
Benefits
The basic holiday entitlement is 23 days pro rata (increasing with length of service), plus public holidays, and other days when the Society is closed – including the Christmas period. A working day of 9 to 5 (Monday to Friday) is normal, but there is reasonable flexibility on working arrangements.
After a 3-month period, you will be auto enrolled into the SGM group stakeholder pension scheme, to which the Society will contribute an amount equivalent to 10% of your salary. Your full probationary period will be 6 months.