The British Olympic Association’s (BOA) mission is to transform British lives through the power of the Olympic values and the success of Team GB. The BOA’s principal role is to prepare and lead our nation’s finest athletes at the summer, winter and youth Olympic Games. Working with the National Governing Bodies, the BOA selects Team GB from the best sportsmen and women who will go on to compete in the 28 summer and 7 winter Olympic sports at the greatest sporting competition in the world. The BOA is independent and privately funded. The success of our mission is entirely dependent upon the income we receive from our commercial programmes including but not limited to sponsorship, fundraising, licensing, and events. The BOA is the UK National Olympic Committee and the strong, independent voice for British Olympic Sport responsible for promoting the Olympic Movement throughout the UK.
The BOA are now recruiting for the role of Head of Communications. This is a truly exciting opportunity to join the BOA at a critical time before the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.
Scope:
Develop and direct proactive media relations programmes that raise the awareness and profile of the British Olympic Association and its partners, the National Governing Bodies for sport and Team GB athletes. Primary emphasis is on sport and news media, crossing all media platforms (print, broadcast, digital, social and photo).
Work closely with the National Governing Bodies for sport and Team GB athletes to effectively balance the competitive needs of athletes with the often unprecedented interests and demands of the media.
Through proactive media outreach, take full advantage of the interest generated by the Olympic Games for the long-term growth and benefit of Olympic sport in the UK.
Provide professional development and guidance, as needed, to the Communications Officers of the National Governing Bodies, including preparation to serve as members of the Team GB Press Officer Staff for Summer and Winter Olympic Games.
Key Responsibilities:
Provide direction for all BOA media outreach and media relations initiatives, including official announcements, media opportunities and events.
On behalf of the British Olympic Association and Team GB, serve as the primary point of contact for members of the media and as an authorised spokesperson. Working in partnership with the Director of Communications, respond to requests for information, interviews and comment from the media in a timely and professional manner. Working in partnership with the Director of Communications, develop and disseminate ‘lines to take’ reflecting official BOA positions in a timely and professional manner.
Provide direction and management to the Communications Manager and Communications Assistant.
Design and manage the Team GB Media Summit and host Team GB and BOA press conferences as needed.
Oversee the production of all official BOA publications, including the Annual Report and Team GB Media Guides.
Design and deliver the media training programme for Team GB athletes and coaches in preparation for Olympic Summer and Winter Games.
Working with the Director of Communications lead, manage and coordinate Team GB media relations staff at Games Time (press officers, Managing Victory staff, Team GB House Comms Staff, Media Ticketing & MPC Manager), including selection and training. Provide communications counsel and professional development support to National Governing Bodies.
Liaise with Stakeholder Programme Team and BOA Commercial Team on Team GB partner activations as appropriate.
Serve as a senior member of the Communications Team in support of Team GB at major international events, including the Olympic Summer Games, Olympic Winter Games, Youth Olympic Games and Festivals, as required.
Key Challenges in Delivering the Role:
Pressures and demands of the position, including participation in events and functions that occur after normal business hours and on weekends.
Challenging media environment, with interest and demands increasing substantially as an Olympic Games draws near.
Relationships and Interfaces:
Position reports to the Director of Communications.
Incumbent must develop effective working relationships with direct reports.
Incumbent must maintain effective working relationships with leading journalists and influencers
Incumbent must maintain effective working relationships with all BOA functional areas.
Incumbent should maintain effective working relationships with colleagues at National Governing Bodies and other UK sport stakeholders, as well as Team GB athletes and coaches.
Person Specification:
Essential
Skills:
A strong understanding and demonstrated ability to successfully manage media relations, public relations and issue management programmes in a national/international sport environment. Excellent writing skills.
Knowledge:
A strong understanding of media practices and protocols. A strong understanding of Olympic Games, International Olympic Committee and International Federation procedures and protocols, particularly with respect to communications.
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree required.
Experience:
Minimum 7 years’ experience in communications, with an emphasis on experience gained while serving as the senior communications executive for a National Olympic Committee and/or National Governing Body for an Olympic sport.
Line management and staff development experience. Long-standing and effective working relationships with journalists representing all sport and news media platforms (print, digital, broadcast and photo).
Personal Qualities:
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to develop effective working relationships with members of the national and international media, along with colleagues representing various Olympic stakeholder organisations. Flexibility and the ability to remain calm and poised under pressure. Ability to effectively and comfortably work under deadline pressure and manage multiple work streams.
Desirable
Skills:
Comfort and skill in providing on-the-record comment for print, broadcast and digital media interviews.
Experience:
Experience representing an NOC or NGB in a senior communications role at an Olympic Games
Personal Qualities:
Incumbent must be comfortable working both in a collaborative environment as a member of a larger team and independently.
Reporting To: Director of Communications
Location: BOA Headquarters
Applications: Applications should be made by CV and cover letter stating COMMS as a reference. Applicants should specifically include the following information with their application:
Dates of availability e.g. notice period/earliest possible start date
Detail on your level of sporting experience in particular
Current salary level
Closing date: January 10, 2016
For previous job vacancies published on this site, click here
- The SJA is the largest member organisation of sports media professionals in the world. Join us: Click here for more details
- This year, the SJA’s nominated good cause is The Journalists’ Charity. To find out more and how you can donate on a one-off or regular basis, go to www.journalistscharity.org.uk