Can you drive change and work with professionals to shape an exciting young industry? The CIPR’s Senior Policy Officer will develop ideas in support of our purpose and objectives, maintaining the relevance of the organisation and influencing key debates in public relations. You will develop guidance, research, and work closely in support of the CIPR’s Communication and senior management teams, as well as engaging volunteers and practitioners across the sector.
Reporting line: Deputy Chief Executive
Key Responsibilities
- Continually track political, economic, social and technological factors that may impact the public relations profession so that the Institute is best placed to anticipate change and lead the profession accordingly;
- To become an acknowledged authority on industry issues in public relations, including wider social and economic issues such as gender pay and employment in the specific context of this profession;
- Update and develop the CIPR’s existing policy platform;
- To develop and deliver the CIPR’s State of the Profession survey;
- Assist with the delivery of the annual communication plan based on an understanding of the issues faced by the public relations profession;
- Assist in the development of best practice guidelines for members and the profession, building excellent relationships with relevant bodies both nationally and internationally in support of this objective;
- Assist in managing, monitoring and moderating the CIPR’s social media presence;
- Assist in the effective internal communication of the CIPR’s policy positions with the aim of influencing, where necessary, the development of CIPR products and services;
- Assist in the effective communication of the CIPR’s policy platform through all channels, particularly working closely with the CIPR’s Qualifications and Training teams, the Events team and the Editor of Influence Magazine;
- To act as Secretary to the Policy and Campaigns and Professional Practices Committees;
- To undertake other tasks as agreed with the Senior Management Team.
Person Specification
Essential
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Experience of researching and developing policy issues, including:
- Developing, commissioning and implementing research to support policy activities;
- Tracking political, economic, technological and social issues, understanding and communicating relevance;
- Excellent communication skills, written, verbal and online;
- Excellent organisational skills, including the ability to prioritise and time manage;
- Independent outlook but with strong team working abilities;
- An understanding of how committees are administered and function;
- Proficient in use of Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook;
- Proficient in use of online media;
- Willingness to pursue membership of the CIPR and gain an appropriate level of qualification, necessarily involving self-directed study;
- Excellent networking skills;
- Commitment to continuing professional development.
Desirable
- Experience of managing networks and groups of volunteers to support policy activity;
- Experience of producing creative content to communicate policy ideas;
- Due to the nature of the business, willingness to work outside of work hours to achieve objectives.
Benefits
- Group Personal Pension Plan with a 5% employer’s pension contribution;
- Private Health Care;
- Permanent Health Insurance;
- Death in Service benefit;
- Interest free season ticket loan;
- Cycle scheme;
- Childcare vouchers;
- Support for professional development, including CIPR courses and qualifications.
Annual Leave Entitlement
23 days annual leave entitlement in the first 12 months, plus bank holidays, increasing to 25 days per year after 1 year in employment, 28 days per year after 2 years and 30 days per year after 5 years.
Probation Review
Probationary period of six months.
Working Hours
Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm. However, the nature of the role may require additional out of office hours.