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04/21/2021

Scottish Salmon Hires New 'Head of Communications' to Combat Extreme Activism

 

 

 

If you desperately need a daunting challenge and are comfortable lying to the media, the new 'Head of Communications' job at the Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation could be for you.

 

Head of Communications new job April 2021 #1

 

 

More details on the job are available online here

 

Sspo website

 

About us

 

Scottish salmon is an iconic global brand. Our fish sell at a premium in the top restaurants of New York and the sushi bars of Asia. We are the UK’s number one food export.

 

Our new Sustainability Charter establishes principles and actions. It sets out what our member companies and the salmon supply chain will do to meet the net zero greenhouse gas emissions target by 2045. Sustainability must underpin everything we do. The way we care about our fish and protect their local environment. Sourcing responsibly. Developing our people. Listening to our communities.

 

Scotland is uniquely placed to be in the vanguard of the blue revolution. As the Scottish, UK and global economies emerge from the shadow of Covid-19 there’s a significant opportunity to grow the production of Scottish salmon in a sustainable way; to create much-needed new jobs; and to share the financial benefits of growth with the rural and island communities where we work.

 

The role of the Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation is to create the conditions for the long-term sustainable growth of the Scottish Salmon sector. It is to maintain its position as Scotland and the UK's leading food product by representing the interests of our member companies and working to promote “Scottish Salmon” the brand.

 

The role

We wish to employ a proven communications professional to promote the salmon farming sector’s interests across the media and with key stakeholders.

The successful candidate will report to the SSPO CEO and lead a small team of communications professionals to build proactive multi-media campaigns with associated advertising, delivering effective, targeted and consistent digital media output, managing reactive communications and co-ordinate responsive media activity from local, national and international news and media outlets.

 

Key Responsibilities

 

  • Develop and effectively manage the SSPO’s communications strategy.
  • Maximise the SSPO and Scottish salmon sector’s reputation and brand positioning externally.
  • Competently develop and control reactive communications relating to the sector.
  • Lead the development and implementation of the SSPO’s approach to external and internal sector communications, engaging with staff in the development of the approach.
  • Support the development of a stakeholder engagement strategy and support the Director of Strategic Engagement in its implementation.
  • Proactively lead public relations, communications, marketing and media support activities to ensure high quality coverage which accurately reflects the SSPO’s strategic messages, values and identity.
  • Oversee the SSPO’s social media channels, develop creative digital content and liaise with stakeholders across member companies, government, public agencies, ENGOs and trade bodies.
  • Act as an external spokesperson for the SSPO, deputising for the CEO or Director of Strategic Engagement as appropriate.
  • Provide professional advice and collaborative leadership to the SSPO’s member communications teams on all sector-wide communications and marketing matters.
  • Ensure SSPO communications priorities are aligned to those of key stakeholders.
  • Represent the SSPO in engaging and liaising with members, media organisations, external partners and agencies including Scotland Food and Drink Partnership and the International Salmon Farmers Association.
  • Prepare papers, briefs and submissions on key communication issues for the SSPO Management team and Board of Directors.
  • Willingness to work flexibly, including attendance at evening events/meetings both internal and external to the SSPO.
  • Travel in UK and abroad.

Required Knowledge / Experience

Essential

 

  • A degree or equivalent in media studies, journalism, public relations, public policy, politics, media design or a related subject.
  • Skilled in the use of digital and social media.
  • Experience of dealing with the media.
  • A thorough working knowledge of communications management, media and social media.
  • Knowledge of the Scottish, UK political, business and media landscape.
  • Experience of reactive communications handling and stakeholder management
  • Confident in representing a high-profile organisation and sector across all media platforms.
  • Experience of media relations at local, regional and national level.
  • Excellent communications skills – clear speaking and writing style with a track record of networking and relationship building.
  • A proven ability to develop and deliver communications and advocacy strategies quickly and accurately.

Desirable

 

  • Knowledge and experience in dealing with international media would be a distinct advantage.
  • Member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations
  • Flexibility in your approach and willing to take on other work as the sector and external agenda evolves.
  • A knowledge of the food and drink sector would be an advantage.
  • An inquisitive approach to ensure the organisation’s approach to media issues is robust.
  • Experience of leading and co-ordinating multi-disciplinary professionals.
  • Website management a desirable skillset

The Person

You will …..

 

  • Have a strong work ethic, be keen to succeed, and be comfortable talking and communicating within and beyond the team.
  • Be self-motivated, flexible and adaptable with positive approach to managing change.
  • Be a strategic and creative thinker with a positive attitude.
  • Be comfortable representing the SSPO at external meetings with stakeholders.
  • Be highly organised with a methodical approach to work.
  • Be able to work independently and proactively.
  • Demonstrate great problem-solving skills.
  • Have strong communications skills, both written and verbal.
  • Display emotional intelligence – calm in the face of adversity and able to work in a fast-paced environment with high drive and energy levels.
  • Be a real team player.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Read more via: Lobbyist for 'Scottish' Salmon Caught Telling Pack of Lies on BBC Scotland

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted at 10:50 AM |

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