Communications Director Who are Agapé UK? An overview We’re Agapé UK. For over 50 years, we’ve been inspiring people to discover Jesus at home, at work, at university and abroad. As the UK arm of an international Christian charity, active in over 190 countries, we’re bringing people together and seeing lives transformed. Our vision That every person will have the opportunity to discover Jesus and live their life to the full in relationship with Him. Our mission To respond to Jesus’ call to invite people to follow Him, learn with them what it means to be His disciples, and inspire, encourage and enable them to invite others to do the same. What do we do? At home Agapé UK is strengthening relationships and promoting the importance of community and family life, to enhance the emotional and spiritual wellbeing of everyone in society. Through our FamilyLife resource and events, we’re supporting people around the country to build flourishing relationships and strong marriages and discover what it means to have a lasting relationship with Jesus. At work Agapé UK is equipping people to confidently live and share their faith at work. We’re helping the UK’s workforce to learn more about their professional strengths and weaknesses, achieve a healthy work life balance, and gain a sense of satisfaction and purpose at work. And, through our network of music professionals, we’re sharing our faith through music. At university Agapé UK has been active on university campuses across the UK for over 50 years – working with students to help them navigate the complexities of student life. Together, we’re building student communities where people from all backgrounds can discover more about themselves and explore big questions about life, faith, and God. And abroad Agapé UK is meeting the needs of people around the world, working with a number of international partners. This includes our humanitarian work with the Global Aid Network (GAiN UK), and the wider activities of the Agape Europe and Cru global networks. Communications Director Job description The role The Communications Director is responsible for the leadership and oversight of external and internal communications across the whole of Agapé UK, ensuring that we continue to raise awareness of, and build engagement with our ministry and purpose to help people discover Jesus together. Approach Leadership Based out of the UK headquarters in Birmingham, the Communications Director leads the small central Communications Department also based there. They work closely with the Executive Leadership Team, Central Services Team and Ministry Directors, and colleagues across the organisation, as well as external contributors and contractors, to ensure we are delivering creative and effective communications to our wide variety of audiences. The Communications Director will bring a creative and innovative approach to the role, inspiring others to excellence in communications. They will implement and build on the current communications strategy, and the media plan for our 5 Year Focus on working with 1000 churches in the UK. They will lead the Communications Department to continue to shape and develop the delivery of our key communications outputs (social media, publications, e-newsletters). They will work with other senior leaders to continue to improve internal communications so that staff and volunteers feel well informed and engaged. Flowing from their own personal walk with the Lord, the Communications Director will bring professional and spiritual leadership to their communications role. They will have overall oversight of all communications across the organisation, providing thoughtful leadership, guidance and support to all teams. They have responsibility for the delivery of the work of the central Communications Department, and the continuing development of team members, supporting them to thrive professionally and personally in their roles, and through their ministry life at Agapé UK. The Communications Director will model a lifestyle of dependence on the Lord, and an attitude of humility, integrity and honesty in how they carry out their role and fulfil their remit. Building a bridge An essential aspect of the role will be working closely with colleagues across the organisation to strengthen our new branding and ensure the continuous development and integration of our communications so that Agapé UK is represented as one organisation clearly and effectively to all our audiences. They will need good knowledge of the UK Christian context, including Christian media, writers, speakers, leaders, denominations, and to be able to network externally to build connections and create opportunities for Agapé UK to raise awareness of our ministry and purpose. Front line Staff life All Agapé UK staff live and breathe evangelism and discipleship and so staff are expected to be active in some kind of additional ministry. This could be expressed in a number of different ways: involvement in the local student movement in Birmingham, city-centre based initiatives, connecting with church leaders, or in their own community context. Whatever the Lord may be calling the Communications Director to do, they will be provided with training in evangelism and discipleship. The funding for the Communications Director will come through individuals and churches giving to specifically fund the individual that God is calling. The first task of the successful applicant will be to develop a team of ministry partners who will pray for them and give financially to cover the salary and some of the expenses for the role. The extent of this can be open to discussion but there will be full training for this, and you will be coached through this exciting and faith-growing process. The person Who we are looking for Faith Primarily, we are looking for someone whose first love is Jesus. You have a heart for God and for seeing His Great Commission fulfilled and can articulate the part that God has called you to play in this, particularly from a communications perspective. You are already integrated well into your local church community who will be excited to partner with you in this new adventure. You love to see other believers grow in their faith and are looking forward to spiritually investing in the lives of people you work with and giving spiritual leadership to those reporting to you. Character As a disciple of Christ, you have a teachable spirit and approach this new role and Agapé UK as a learner. Your servant heartedness is evident to all in the way you eagerly desire to serve others. You are known for your high level of integrity and trustworthiness in both your work and personal life. You can identify areas in which you have seen the fruit of the Spirit grow in your life this past year and are aware of areas in which you still need to see growth. Leadership You bring inspiring leadership and have experience in sensitively leading other members of your department. You have strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate clearly and kindly. You are comfortable and not put off in pressured environments and are able to mitigate this through proactive working. You enjoy building relationships with a wide range of people, from board members to grass-roots staff members, from external donors to third-party contractors and suppliers. You are a strategic thinker with great decision-making skills. Your decision-making abilities are measured and considered, particularly in relation to the management of your budget and use of your department’s time. Expertise We are looking for someone with at least a degree level qualification, together with previous experience in a communications role, leading and delivering multi faceted plans and projects and working with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders. You will bring creative expertise and leadership in innovation to enable continual improvements in our communications outputs. You will be a skilled project manager, and a supportive and encouraging team leader, with a heart to see your department develop to their full potential. You need to have excellent written communication and editing skills, with a high level of computer literacy, experienced in using Microsoft Office, as well as a good eye for what works visually. How to apply What you need to do If you feel God is leading you to work with Agapé UK in the Communications Director role please contact hr@agape.org.uk to request an application pack or to request further information. The process Before applying we recommend you discuss your interest in the role with your church leaders. From our experience the support and encouragement of your local church is important as you discern God’s calling. Once you have decided to apply you should complete an application form and send it to the HR Department at hr@agape.or.uk. In accordance with Agapé UK’s Justifiability and Diversity policies, this post has been identified as having an Occupational Requirement for the successful candidate to be a Christian supporting the aims and ethos of the organisation. Further details available on request. Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 Agapé UK 167 Newhall Street 0121 765 4404 info@agape.org.uk Birmingham, B3 1SW agape.org.uk Agapé Ministries Ltd. Registered in England No 949989. Registered office as left. Registered charity in England & Wales (258421) and Scotland (SCO42332). VAT No 200 1787 10.