Job summary
BPAS are an independent healthcare charity which, formore than 55 years, has been advocating and caring for women and couples whodecide to end a pregnancy. We are theleading specialist of abortion advice and treatment in the UK.
Over the last 12 months we have gone throughsignificant organisational change and are putting in place a new leadershipstructure, supported by a Senior Operational Team.
BPAS vision is for a society in which women aretrusted to make their own reproductive choices with access to the informationand services needed to exercise those choices.
The Chief Strategic Communications Officer is an integral part of the ExecutiveLeadership Team, sharing the collective responsibility for the key issuesfacing BPAS.
You will be a values-driven leader whocan inspire staff, trustees, as well as wider stakeholders, fostering aninclusive culture driven by our collective purpose. You will enhance and drive our reputation asa sector leader on advocacy and law reform in abortion care, building a strongadvocacy, research and communications function to evidence, protect, and defendabortion rights for women.
Main duties of the job
The role of the Chief Strategic CommunicationsOfficer is vital to BPAS's mission of advocating for and providingcompassionate care in reproductive health.
As a key member of the C-Suite, youwill have shared responsibility for the overall strategy and success of theorganisation, ensuring that our vision and mission are clearly communicated andeffectively championed across all levels. You will lead BPASs strategiccommunications, marketing, advocacy, and research functions, ensuring that ourmessaging resonates with a diverse range of stakeholders from governmentofficials, Whitehall, NHSE, CQC and sector partners and policymakers to service users and the public.
We are seeking a highly experienced leader instrategic communications with a proven track record at the C-suite level. Youwill bring expertise in advocacy, media relations, crisis communication, andstakeholder engagement, ideally within the healthcare, charity, or human rightssectors. Your ability to influence, inspire, and drive social change throughevidence-based communication will be crucial in maintaining and enhancingBPAS's reputation as a leader in reproductive rights.
Above all, we are looking for a leader who isaligned with our values, passionate about our mission, and committed toadvancing the rights and well-being of the women we serve
About us
British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) is the UK's largest independent women's reproductive healthcare charity. We work mainly on behalf of the NHS across the country providing abortion, contraception, STI testing & treatment. We specialise in evidence-based, not-for-profit care reproductive healthcare.
Working with us:
Alongside a supportive and friendly working environment, BPAS has generous benefits:
1. Life assurance cover at 3 times salary
2. 34 days annual leave per year
3. A defined contribution pension scheme.
4. You will have access to our employee benefits programme through BHSF which includes special health & wellbeing services & lifestyle offers for you & your family. This includes various salary sacrifice schemes, counselling services & free private GP appointments.
BPAS is committed to safeguarding & promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults, children & young people through a safer recruitment framework. This includes a thorough selection process & a number of pre-employment checks.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Further information of the role requirements is outlined within the candidate briefing pack which is available to download.
Indicative Timetable:
Closing date for applications: 9am - Friday 4th October 2024
Preliminary Interviews (In Leamington Spa): WC 21st October
Final Interviews (In Leamington Spa): WC 28th October
Please apply directly through our website -
All applications should be sent to and must quote reference CSCO and include the below:
5. A Curriculum Vitae (CV) with education and professional qualifications and full employment history. Please include daytime and evening telephone contact numbers and e-mail addresses.
6. A supporting statement that should outline your motivation for applying, what you believe you can bring to the role, and how your skills and experience align with the role description and candidate profile.
7. Responses to the applications questions within the candidate pack.
Please note: applications should not be submitted directly through NHS and you should follow the process outlined above.
Person Specification
Values & Behaviours
Essential
8. Possesses a genuine passion for the organisation's charitable aims, mission, vision and values
9. Able to lead with compassion and empathy whilst remaining clear on expectations and deliverables
10. Able to maintain strict confidentiality
11. Remains calm under pressure
12. Possesses drive, enthusiasm and energy
13. Builds professional and personal credibility to gain support
14. Confidence in ability to deliver
15. Ability to work under pressure
16. Committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and anti-racism
Knowledge & Skills
Essential
17. Highly effective communication skills must be able to articulate complex issues to a wide range of audiences, both written and verbally
18. Excellent presentation skills with the ability to engage and influence diverse audiences.
19. Strong interpersonal and negotiating skills, with the ability to engage, build and sustain relationships both within BPAS and within external organisations.
20. Able to demonstrate sound financial management skills and understand business centred approach to healthcare provision.
21. Able to take 'tough' decisions and calculated risks and see required action through.
22. Demonstrates strong commitment to action to achieve equality and diversity in the workforce and for the community.
23. Ability to share vision and engender ownership in others.
24. Exhibits a drive, energy and enthusiasm and resilience to drive through and achieve end results and improvements.
Qualifications
Essential
25. Politically astute with significant experience of effective influencing and the development of advocacy, from the identification of objectives, targets and opportunities, through the delivery of a range of approaches to achieve change
26. Significant experience gained ideally within healthcare, charities or similar settings on leading the strategic communications, campaigning and advocacy function at a C Suite level
Desirable
27. Formal qualification in Public Affairs, Journalism or marketing and communications
General
Essential
28. Able to travel to other sites, and work additional hours as necessary
29. Able to participate in the on call rota outside of core working hours
30. Commitment to a womans right to choose abortion
Experience
Essential
31. Demonstrable evidence of delivering change through strategic communications and engagement, ideally within a human rights or healthcare setting
32. A very experienced ambassador and communicator, able to connect and take multiple stakeholders with them, from Whitehall through to service users
33. Demonstrable experience of setting clear objectives with teams, encouraging personal development and addressing performance management issues
34. Proven experience of operating at a board level within a comparable organisation
35. Significant experience in shaping strategic communications and successful execution of the strategy to drive measurable impact
36. Experience of designing and delivering national marketing and campaigns strategies ideally within womens health or human rights
37. Excellent experience in building a range of partnerships and collaborations formal and informal, leading in some, connecting different agendas and shaping the work of others behind the scenes.
38. Experience in using evidence-based arguments to drive social change, utilising data and research outcomes