Communications Manager

The R&A; St Andrews; Hybrid; GBP 36,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary Bonus Scheme

Company Pension Scheme and Sick Pay

Life Insurance Cover

Enhanced Maternity/Partner Pay

35 Days Holiday Per Year

Free tickets to The Open and AIG Women

Cycle to Work Scheme

Season Ticket Loan

Contribution towards glasses for VDU

Discounts across 800 UK retailers

Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice

Job summary

The R&A, based in St Andrews, Scotland, offers a hybrid role as Communications Manager to drive proactive communications for campaigns, projects and events. You will advise senior leadership and support governance, development and championships with strategic communications priorities.

You will work with regional directors, manage media relations, craft messaging, and coordinate digital content for announcements and initiatives.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in media, PR or communications.
• Excellent copywriting and audience adaptation skills.
• Experience with OTT and owned social media channels.
• Strong project management with timely delivery.
• Knowledge of golf industry and sporting events.
• Budget management for events as needed.

Responsibilities

• Shape the Communications Strategy and implement priorities across governance, development and championships.
• Lead regional communications with regional directors and teams.
• Maintain a network of media contacts to raise The R&A profile.
• Conduct copywriting, editing and proofing across platforms and publications.
• Support digital content creation with the Digital Content team.
• Handle media inquiries and provide messaging for senior colleagues.
• Act as communications lead at key events (on-site or remote).
• Support the running of the Open Media Centre and media operations.

Skills

Copywriting

Media relations

Project management

Strategic communications

Audience engagement

Digital platforms

Job description

Location: St Andrews, Fife, Scotland (Hybrid working)

We are The R&A. Our mission is to open golf to the world. We have over 300 employees who are passionate about uniting golf and golfers through common rules and governance, inspiring through the staging of world class championships including The Open and AIG Women's Open, and leading through working to shape the future of golf with our partners.

The R&A governs the Rules of Golf, the World Handicap System, equipment standards and rankings in partnership with the USGA, while supporting both established and emerging formats of the game.

In the next five years we aim to attract 22 million additional golfers, generate more than £1.5 billion in economic benefit through our championships, create more than £25 billion in social value, establish more than 200 strategic partnerships and generate more than 5 billion fan interactions.

Communications Manager, you will develop and drive proactive communications for key R&A campaigns, projects and events. You will also provide day-to-day support across its governance, development and championships functions. This includes advising senior leadership and colleagues, delivering on the organisation’s strategic communications priorities around opening golf to the world and handling media issues.

What you’ll be doing:

• Supporting the Executive Director, Director and Head of Communications to shape the Communications Strategy and work with the team to implement its key priorities across governance, development and championships.
• Leading on communications in specific geographical regions and work with R&A regional directors and their teams to promote R&A initiatives, campaigns and events.
• Maintaining a network of key media contacts to build The R&A's profile in certain geographic regions and promote targeted campaigns.
• Conducting copywriting, editing and proofing across all platforms and publications including news releases and media briefings, ensuring accuracy, relevancy and alignment with R&A tone of voice.
• Working with the R&A Digital Content team to support the creation of digital and video content for key announcements and initiatives, ensuring that activity is fully co-ordinated.
• Supporting the Head of Communications in handling media enquiries and issues as they arise and provide messaging for senior colleagues being interviewed.
• Acting as communications lead at key R&A events which may include the AIG Women's Open, the Senior Open presented by Rolex, The Open Qualifying Series or amateur championships and international matches, handling a variety of communications matters. This can be on-site or remotely as required.
• Work as part of the Communications team at The Open to support the running of the Media Centre, media operations and associated facilities.

What we are looking for:

• A talented communications and media relations professional who has substantial experience of working in a media, public relations or communications environment.
• Excellent copywriting skills and the ability to adapt communication style to different audiences.
• Adept at communicating effectively with target audiences on OTT (over the top) digital platforms and owned social media channels.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to devise and implement strategies within an agreed timeframe.
• A strong knowledge of the golf industry and a passion for sporting events.
• Managing communications elements of event budgets with relevant colleagues as required.

What we offer:

We offer a great benefits package including the following:

• Discretionary Bonus Scheme
• Company Pension Scheme and Sick Pay
• Life Insurance Cover
• Enhanced Maternity/Partner Pay
• 35 Days Holiday Per Year
• Free tickets to The Open and AIG Women's Open each year (and other relevant R&A Championships)
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Season Ticket Loan
• Contribution towards glasses for VDU use
• Discounts available across 800 UK retailers and local businesses, such as gym membership
• Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme

Everyone is welcome at The R&A

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their age, disability, race, religion/belief, gender, sexual orientation or gender identity. Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments. We'll need you to confirm you have the right to work in the UK.