About the Role
Great communication doesn't simply tell people what you do. It gives them a reason to care.
As Head of Communications and Content, you’ll lead how Norwood tells its story, engages its audiences and strengthens its voice.
This is a broad and influential role bringing together digital communications, content, storytelling and media relations to raise awareness, build trust and deepen engagement with the people we support, supporters, partners, funders and the wider public.
Digital will be central to your remit. You’ll lead the continued development of our website, social media and email channels, using insight and analytics to improve engagement, conversion and retention.
You’ll also shape the stories we tell and how we tell them. From proactive media opportunities and thought leadership to campaigns, publications, impact reports and digital content, you’ll ensure Norwood communicates with a clear, consistent and compelling voice.
Working closely with Fundraising, Services and colleagues across Marketing & Communications, you’ll connect communications activity with Norwood’s wider ambitions, helping increase the visibility of our services, strengthen our reputation and support income generation.
Who We Are Looking For
You’ll be an experienced communications leader who combines strategic thinking with the ability to make things happen.
You’ll understand how digital, content and PR can work together to create greater impact, and you’ll be equally comfortable shaping a communications strategy, interrogating channel performance, developing a campaign idea or crafting the words that bring an important story to life.
Excellent writing will be fundamental. You’ll know how to find the story, understand the audience and adapt your message across different channels and formats without losing the clarity or authenticity behind it.
You’ll bring strong digital communications experience alongside an understanding of media and PR. You do not need to be equally specialist in every discipline. What matters is that you bring strong digital expertise, sound communications judgement and the leadership to bring together the right people and skills around you.
You’ll also understand the responsibility that comes with protecting an organisation’s reputation, remaining calm and considered when managing sensitive issues and ensuring communications build confidence and trust.
Above all, you’ll be curious, collaborative and ambitious about what great communications can achieve for Norwood and the communities we serve.
Your Day to Day
You’ll:
- Lead the development and delivery of Norwood’s integrated communications and content strategy
- Strengthen our digital presence across website, social media and email, improving engagement, conversion and retention
- Develop an integrated content approach that connects digital, PR, campaigns and storytelling across channels
- Use data, analytics and audience insight to understand performance and continually improve our communications
- Lead proactive and reactive media relations and PR, building relationships with journalists and identifying opportunities to increase Norwood’s profile
- Position Norwood as a trusted voice in neurodevelopmental disability and social care through storytelling, commentary and thought leadership
- Lead communications around sensitive or reputational issues, including crisis communications where required
- Create and oversee high-quality editorial content, from campaigns and supporter communications to impact reports, publications and speeches
- Work closely with Fundraising and Services to ensure communications supports income generation, service visibility and organisational priorities
- Support the development of Norwood’s approach to public affairs and engagement with policymakers and sector partners
- Support internal communications and advise colleagues on messaging and channel strategy
- Lead, develop and inspire a high-performing Communications and Content team
- Manage agencies and external suppliers where required
- Establish meaningful KPIs and demonstrate the reach, engagement and impact of our communications
Experience, Qualifications & Training
You’ll bring:
- Significant senior-level communications experience, either within the charity sector or with clearly transferable experience from another sector
- A proven track record of leading integrated communications
- Strong experience across digital communications, content strategy and channel performance
- Experience of media relations and PR, including developing media opportunities and securing coverage
- Strong understanding of digital audiences, engagement and content performance
- Outstanding writing, editing and storytelling skills across different audiences and formats
- Experience developing campaign and promotional ideas within an established brand
- Experience supporting organisational reputation and handling sensitive communications
- Confidence using data and insight to assess communications performance and inform decisions
- Confidence using AI tools to support the development, scheduling and delivery of communications and content
- Experience leading and developing people and creating a collaborative, creative working environment
- A degree or equivalent relevant qualification
Experience of internal communications and improving colleague engagement would be an advantage, as would relevant professional development such as CIPR or CIM.
Reward & Benefits
- 21 days annual leave + 8 Bank Holidays (FTE) + Jewish Festival Days
- Enhanced parental pay
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Health cash plan covering dental, optical, and therapy treatments, with virtual GP access, private consultations, and wellbeing tools via the My Medicash App
- Blue Light Card scheme access
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Free on-site parking
- A supportive, and experienced leadership team.
A bit more information: Norwood’s Broadway House, located at 80 - 82 The Broadway, Stanmore HA7 4HB, is the charity’s head office and main administrative base.
It brings together Governance, Leadership, Fundraising, Finance, People and Culture, and Marketing and Communications, providing coordination and support to Children & Family Services and Adult Services.
The office supports Norwood’s mission to help people with neurodevelopmental disabilities, their families, and children in need across London and the South East. It is also the main point of contact for referrals, general enquiries, and charity business.
Safe Recruitment: Norwood is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children, young people, and adults we support. This role is subject to safer recruitment checks in line with CQC Regulation 19, and appointment is conditional upon satisfactory pre-employment checks, including Right to Work in the UK and a DBS check appropriate to the role.
Email: careers@norwood.org.uk
Disclaimer: At Norwood, we welcome applications from a diverse range of candidates. At this time, Norwood is not a UK Home Office licensed sponsor and is unable to offer visa sponsorship.
