Job Opportunities

BOFIN Head of Communications

Responsibilities

Skills

Benefits

• Management and delivery of BOFIN’s communications commitments within all current projects
• Assisting Managing Director in developing BOFIN’s communications strategy and its offering, and in developing plans for future clients
• Co-ordinating press liaison, including placing features, briefing freelancers as necessary, editing copy and managing approvals process, and working with Community Manager to deliver content
• Developing compelling content including articles, knowledge guides, case studies, and videos to showcase BOFIN’s projects linking in closely with the Project Manager to ensure this corresponds with project deliverables 
• Writing and editing copy, including features and press releases and arranging interviews, working with Community Manager for content and approvals
• Writing and editing knowledge exchange literature, including case studies, briefing freelancers as necessary and briefing design studio, working with Community Manager on final delivery
• Deciding content of events, then helping with delivery, working with the Project Manager and Community Manager
• Oversight of social media, video and podcast content, including advising Community Manager on tone, messaging and actions
• Assisting Community Manager with direct communications to BOFIN members and on webinar and website content, working with Project Manager to ensure delivery of project plans
• Represent BOFIN at events, conferences and meetings; provide comment and/or interviews to press; work with Managing – Director to engage stakeholders and with Community Manager to engage farmers and BOFIN members
• Reporting to Managing Director and project partners on delivery and progress of communications plan

Essential Skills:

• You must have excellent communication skills, including accomplished writing ability, and be happy talking to farmers, press, scientists and the wider general public.
• You must be able to demonstrate a good technical understanding of farming, of on-farmand agricultural research, particularly in broad-acre crops.
• You should demonstrate the ability to identify newsworthy stories, understand how they resonate with a target audience, how they deliver value to the reader and further understanding of novel, complex and/or controversial issues.
• You should have good organisational skills and demonstrate you can work to deadlines.
• You must be proficient in basic Office 365 tools including (but not limited to) Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
• You must be able to work both as part of a small team and in isolation on tasks.

Desirable Skills:

• Press liaison, particularly with the agricultural press, and familiarity with channels of communication and how to use them.
• Proven ability to convey complex scientific principles to non-scientific audiences.
• Active on social media and forums through your current profession.
• Experience facilitating workshops, planning events and presenting at events.
• Experience managing staff, engaging and briefing freelancers

• Competitive salary (up to £55,000 p/a depending on skills, experience and availability).
• Flexible working hours; opportunity as part-time role.
• Hybrid working available – can work from home with occasional travel required. BOFIN is based at Faringdon, Oxfordshire.