How To Apply

Please complete the online application form.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role, please contact Sarah Johal on sarah.johal@adoptionengland.co.uk

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children’s or Adults’ barred list as applicable will be carried out on preferred candidates. Read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy.

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Job Purpose

Provide a lead responsibility for the communication and marketing needs of Adoption England by leading on the strategic development and implementation of the marketing and communication plan for Adoption England and the national recruitment strategy.

Responsibilities

• Support delivery of programmes of strategic significance to deliver services in line with Adoption England Strategy
• Responsible for the development and delivery of the service plan and drive continuous improvement initiatives through leading and contributing to Adoption England projects.
• Chairing the national marketing and communications stakeholder group meetings.
• Day to day management of the marketing and communications manager and officers
• Work with providers who collaborate with Adoption England in the delivery of the recruitment strategy
• Commission services alongside the National Strategic adoption lead for implementation of the Adoption England strategy
• Provide advice for the National Adoption Strategic lead and team including the management of press, reputational and communication issues.
• Lead, managing and developing staff and the performance of a team to the required quality and performance standards and in pursuit of strategic goals across a range of agreed indicators;
• Understand the functional and business realities of the organisation and political and external operating environment;
• Provide a high-quality and comprehensive approach to working with partners; understanding of and ability to anticipate current and future communications and marketing needs;
• Plan, organise, coordinate, deliver and control communications and marketing activity to support business objectives and strategies to deliver measurable outcomes;
• Provide robust advice to senior leaders, elected members and Department of Education officials;
• Manage and control communications and marketing budgets and resources effectively in line with financial and contract procedure regulations, ensuring best value and monitoring expenditure and costs against delivered benefits;
• Build and maintain relationships and engaging with stakeholders and key partners that support strategic goals; and
• Manage expectations and resolving issues with service delivery including through devising innovative communications and marketing solutions to service issues
• Identify, secure and monitor resources and staff from relevant areas, as necessary, to manage and be responsible for delivering specific projects and work packages within the programme aiming to maximise the use of resources and ensuring the learning is shared across programmes and agencies.
• Prepare and present necessary reports in accordance with agreed formats, to a variety of stakeholders including RAA Leaders, the DfE and Cabinet.
• Interrogate national data, and identify data/research gaps to address, to inform recruitment marketing strategy.
• Proactively manage and monitor the development and delivery of programme benefits across RAA’s and key stakeholders to promote the vision to RAAs, senior managers and ministers involved in adoption services across the country.
• In line with the Budget Management Accountability Framework to be responsible and accountable for all financial resources within the service area ensuring value for money and working within financial regulations
• Review and monitor the performance of services, systems, budget, teams and individuals against standards and agreed outcomes in a cost effective and flexible way that is responsive to a dynamic local, political and national context
• The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate to the grade.

Qualifications Degree Level Experience

Working Context - Post holders will work flexibly both at home and at various locations across the City and nationally at times. All colleagues should work in line with our hybrid working principles and spend regular time in the workplace to support service delivery, meeting the needs of the team and the requirements of their individual role. The hours are worked mainly Monday to Friday. However, the post holder will be expected to work outside normal working hours, including attendance at evening/weekend meetings or events if required to meet the needs of the service.

Essential requirements

Candidates will only be shortlisted if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.

• In depth knowledge and understanding of marketing and communications in relation to recruitment of adopters.
• In depth experience of communications in relation to public relations.
• Able to demonstrate examples of managing services and achieving quality transformational outcomes.
• Able to manage competing priorities, ensuring delivery on a range of programmes and adapting to changing circumstances.
• Knowledge of applicable, legislation, regulations, policies, inspections and performance information
• Detailed knowledge and understanding of local government political systems and experience of working on politically sensitive issues.
• Experience of senior leadership and management relevant to area of service delivery
• Experience of strategic and operational resource management including the evaluation of competing priorities and managing accountabilities
• Significant experience of leading marketing and communications initiatives and driving up standards and performance
• Significant experience and commitment in relation to engagement in decision making processes.
• Significant experience of developing productive working relationships with Council Members, trade unions and Corporate Leadership Team

Behavioural & Other Characteristics Required.

• Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
• Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Leeds Ambitions of health and wellbeing, inclusive growth, thriving strong communities and a resilient sustainable city
• Be aware of promote and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures e.g., health, safety and security, confidentiality, and data protection.
• Be aware of and support difference ensuring equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, and promoting the behaviours, values and standards of Leeds City Council