Person Specification - Executive Director (Membership, Marketing and Communications)

POST: Executive Director (Membership, Marketing and Communications)
GRADE: 8
DEPARTMENT: Membership, Marketing and Communications
RESPONSIBLE FOR: Membership Services, Marketing, Engagement, Regional services, Communications, Publications, Public Affairs, Policy
RESPONSIBLE TO: Chief Executive

All of the following are essential unless otherwise stated.

Qualifications

Degree level, or equivalent, or qualified by experience.

Experience and Skills

• Substantial experience of working at a similar level, with the ability to step-into a very demanding corporate leadership role which has significant responsibility for making high-level decisions affecting the running of the College 
• Experience of leading a broad range of teams with differing skills sets and promoting and embedding a strong performance culture in teams in order to meet the needs of internal and external clients 
• Ability to deliver strategic leadership on achieving first class services to all customers, both internal and external, within a framework of value for money
• Demonstrable experience of developing and maintaining strong relationships with high-level internal and external stakeholders, especially the President, Officers, Trustees and Council members
• The ability to work collaboratively with other Executive Directors so business and stakeholder needs are consistently fed back into the External Affairs team
• Ability to communicate the agreed corporate decisions to staff and teams within Directorate and College-wide
• To be able to demonstrate experience of developing a broad strategic view of the issues affecting an organisation – not just in the areas of expertise
• An understanding of the UK Healthcare sector (desirable).

Financial Management and Business Planning

• Experience of preparing complex budgets, overseeing and managing budgets for the whole Directorate
• Experience of contributing to the overall business planning process

The College maintains a high profile and is held in high regard by many stakeholders nationally and internationally and has a strong track record in Communications and government relations.  The post holder should therefore have a successful track record in a senior communications leadership role, or experience of overseeing such a team and have:

• demonstrable experience of developing and implementing successful integrated communications strategies across multiple audiences and utilising multiple channels (as appropriate)
• A strong track record in Government relations, able to show a clear understanding of the mechanics of Government, politically sensitive, able to recognise, influence and manage communications of sensitive issues 
• Excellent experience of media relations both proactive and reactive, able to promote the RCS reputation effectively. 

People and interpersonal skills

• Substantial senior management experience including evaluating and sustaining performance, planning and implementing change
• Proven ability to develop and motivate teams
• Excellent communication skills, oral and written, including perceptiveness and presentation skills in formal, informal and public settings 
• Proven ability to produce written communications that are fluent, clear, concise and tailored to intended recipients
• Able to speak in a compelling manner to both individuals and groups, both informally and in a presentational setting
• Ability to influence, convince and negotiate with others in a way that results in acceptance and agreement.

The post holder will be expected travel throughout the UK and possibly overseas and make overnight stays. There will also be a requirement to attend some meetings and events out of normal office hours. 

The appointment is subject to proof of the attainment of any qualifications deemed essential to the post and used as a basis for shortlisting and selection.  Failure to provide evidence of the required qualifications will result in the offer of employment being withdrawn. 

The Royal College of Surgeons of England is an Equal Opportunities Employer. We are open to all talent and we actively ensure that all qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regards to race/ethnicity, national origin, religion, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age and disability.