Communications Director (0694)

Oxfam is a global movement of people working together to end the injustice of poverty.

Can you lead an integrated communications team to ensure that Oxfam remains high profile, relevant and inspiring?

Do you have experience managing performance of others and helping people to develop, grow and achieve their potential, including increasing diversity and inclusion in teams?

Do you have experience of designing and delivering ambitious story and brand strategies, and of inspiring audiences through public campaigning?

Can you lead our communications response in critical and fast-moving situations?

We are looking for a Communications Director at a pivotal time of transition and change for Oxfam. A natural storyteller, who can bring to life our new strategy For a Radically Better World (link), through which we will tackle the inequalities that keep people in poverty. A proven leader, with the experience and resilience to support a team operating in a highly charged communications environment.      

What you’ll be doing:

In this role, you will be:

• Providing strategic direction and leadership in line with our feminist approach and values.
• Leading and supporting our integrated communications team in a fast-paced environment
• Advising the CEO and Senior Leadership Team on senior level influencing strategies and communications risk management.

You'll have:

We’re looking for a candidate who cares about Oxfam's mission to end poverty and is personally aligned to the values of empowerment, accountability and inclusion in all you do and our feminist principles.

An ideal candidate for the role will also be / have:

• An inspiring, collaborative leader that encourages integration and supports their teams to succeed.
• Experience managing performance of others and helping people to develop, grow and achieve their potential, including increasing diversity and inclusion in teams and / or workplaces, and creating positive change in work culture, processes and practices.  Lived experience (s) or evidence of learning/taking action on anti-racism and inequalities.
• Track record of success in designing and delivering ambitious story and brand strategies, based on deep audience understanding. Expert understanding of the role of storytelling in creating change.  
• Experience of public campaign design & development and its role in inspiring audiences and shifting mindsets
• Significant experience of media management, crisis & responsive communications. Experience in working effectively to very tight deadlines and in high pressure situations.
• Significant experience of digital communications
• Outstanding communication, influencing, negotiating and facilitation skills, both written and verbal to build credibility with diverse audiences.
• High level strategic planning and analytical skills with the ability to solve complex situations
• High levels of curiosity & external awareness.   

Flexfam:

Flexible working is key to building the Oxfam of the future, so we’re open to talking through the type of flexible arrangements which might work for you.

Our values and commitment to safeguarding:

Oxfam is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and committed to promoting the welfare of children, young people, adults and beneficiaries with whom Oxfam GB engages. Oxfam expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment by complying with our code of conduct. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us.

The post holder will undertake the appropriate level of training and is responsible for ensuring that they understand and work within the safeguarding policies of our organisation.

Conditional offers made in selection stages may also be subject appropriate screening checks.  Oxfam GB participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme.  In line with this scheme we will take into account any live disciplinary sanctions a candidate may have when making the selection decision.

How to apply:

As part of your online application, please upload a copy of your CV and Cover Letter.  

Oxfam GB is a Disability Confident Employer. Should you be unable to submit your application online and would prefer an alternative method please contact our recruitment team (recruitmentteam@oxfam.org.uk). If you also want to discuss your application, please do contact us as well.

About Us

Oxfam is a global community who believe poverty isn’t inevitable. It’s an injustice that can be overcome. We are shop volunteers, women’s right activists, marathon runners, aid workers, coffee farmers, street fundraisers, goat herders, policy experts, campaigners, water engineers and more. And we won’t stop until everyone can live life without poverty for good.

Oxfam GB is a member of an international confederation of 19 organisations working together with partners and local communities in the areas of humanitarian, development and campaigning, in more than 90 countries. 

A thriving diverse Oxfam:

It’s people power that brings about change. To play our part as a global organisation working to overcome poverty and inequality, we need equality, diversity and inclusion across our community of staff, partners and volunteers. Together, we’re committed to becoming a more diverse workforce, better able to tackle the global challenges that face our world today.

To do that:

• We need to dismantle the unequal power structures that exist everywhere, this including Oxfam and the wider development and charity sectors.
• We need an inclusive Oxfam where everyone can bring who they are to our work and feels celebrated for the differences they bring.
• We want and need everyone, and that means we need you.