Are you looking for a new opportunity where you can make a difference using your digital communications experience? Do you want to work in a highly motivated and ambitious team?

The Centre for Progressive Policy is looking for an exceptional communications officer who is eager to lead on digital communications and support our events as we move to a new phase. This is an important role in our small, ambitious team to help build our brand, influence the conversation about inclusive growth and share our impact.

The Centre for Progressive Policy is a leading economics think tank. We believe that economic growth is a force for good: it is essential for raising living standards, and it can and should be delivered in line with the path to net zero. But the default model of ‘growing the pie’ first and redistributing the proceeds later does not work. The benefits of growth do not trickle down and efforts to reduce high and rising inequalities through taxation and welfare only take us so far. Instead, we need a model of economic growth that unlocks the productivity potential of all people and all places. At CPP we call this model fair, inclusive growth.

CPP exists to advance inclusive growth in the UK, focusing on place, productivity and public services as its key drivers. We host the Inclusive Growth Network of places across the UK pioneering new approaches on the ground, with a strong focus on the interplay between policy and practice. Since we were set up five years ago, CPP has been recognised by the Sunday Times Best Places To Work list (2023). Over the last year, our research on the economic cost of the UK’s failing childcare system was influential in changing government policy and we have also worked closely with the Labour Party to develop their policies on tackling the social and economic inequalities driving poor health.

At our annual conference in November, Shadow Secretary of State of Climate Change and Net Zero Ed Miliband said “CPP does excellent work on inclusive growth… Its theme is to hard-wire justice and security into our economy and not simply seek to make it happen after the fact.” As a member of the communications team, reporting to the Director of Media and Communications, your role will be to promote the work of CPP and IGN using innovative digital media.

You will have a proven track record of building social media channels, managing websites, external communications and looking for digital opportunities for influence and impact, consistently meeting the highest standards of excellence. You will be joining us at an exciting time, as we head into the year of the general election and push both main parties to set out their plans to deliver fair, inclusive growth in their manifestos.

Key tasks and responsibilities:
Digital communications

• Lead on the managing and growing of CPP and IGN social media accounts including Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube, including the production of audio and visual
  clips, with the ability to produce both high quality planned and reactive communications
• Develop and implement a robust social media plan for both CPP and IGN to allow for a strategic approach to social media growth and success
• Write copy and create content for the CPP and IGN website and email newsletter, featuring new publications and events promotion
• Support CPP and IGN staff to build their online profiles
• Day-to-day website management, plus managing the relationship with our web designers
• Manage and grow CPP and IGN search engine optimisation and analytics, including measuring and evaluating engagement
• Play a key role in ensuring join up between CPP and IGN branding and communications

Operational communications support

• Ensure the smooth running and project management of publications such as reports and briefings, working with colleagues and external partners to ensure they are delivered on schedule
• Manage relevant contractors and liaise with external suppliers such as designers and printers
• Ensure the development of briefing templates, fundraising tools and reinforce and build on house style
• Work and meet regularly with colleagues to forward-plan and ensure our planning grid anticipates and responds to major external policy events to achieve the greatest impact from our work

Events support

• Work with our Events Manager to support communications and marketing for CPP and IGN programme of events including our annual Inclusive Growth Conference and webinars including supporting with AV set-up (where necessary) programme, invites, slides and video clips
• Support with event marketing communications for CPP’s and IGN’s event promos (via Mailchimp), Eventbrite and across CPP’s online event platforms (YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn)
• Increase attendance and engagement at CPP and IGN events through targeted outreach, digital engagement, peer-to-peer platforms and by working with CPP and IGN programme partners
• Assist with event marketing evaluation and engagement metrics

Stakeholder and CRM management:

• Support the team to identify key stakeholders, from MPs and journalists to other think tanks and frontline charities, and help to create and develop relationships with these groups
• Ensure the CRM and newsletter mailing lists are kept up to date with relevant contacts and that the organisation is GDPR-compliant

Person Specification
Essential

• Excellent communication skills with an ability to distil complex ideas into compelling copy and to copyedit others’ writing for language, grammar and formatting
• Experience of managing social media channels and websites for an organisation
• Experience of writing content such as newsletters, marketing materials or blogs
• Experience managing and delivering projects to deadlines
• Highly organised with an eye for detail and ability to set up and manage processes to support communications plans and activities
• Experience of building and sustaining strong working relationships with a range of stakeholders
• Experience of working with social media and website platforms and the ability to learn CRM software such as WordPress, Beacon, Eventbrite and Mailchimp
• Broad knowledge of UK policy making and politics, including economic and social policy

Desirable

• Experience of using video editing software
• Experience of using simple design editing software such as Canva