COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER at the Sustainable Fibre Alliance Remote - United Kingdom - Textile Exchange

Description

COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER at the Sustainable Fibre Alliance
Remote

OVERVIEW
Post Title: Communications Manager
Salary Range: £32,000 – £36,500 dependent on experience
Hours: 5 days / 35 hours a week
Contract Length: Permanent
Responsible to: Operations Manager
Location: UK (remote-based)
Date Issued: 03 March 2023
Start date: 05 June 2023

KEYWORDS
Communications; marketing; event management; cashmere; sustainability; voluntary certification
schemes; traceability; supply chains; preferred fibres; fashion and textiles; animal welfare; livelihoods;
Mongolia; China, sustainable livestock production. We are currently seeking a Communications Manager with a proven track record of successful delivery
of managing marketing and communication strategies to join us. This post is full-time and home-based
working remotely as part of our UK team. This is a key strategic role working across a range of internal
and external stakeholders to deliver our communications goals. WHO WE ARE
ABOUT THE SFA
The Sustainable Fibre Alliance (SFA) is a non-profit international organization working with the extended
cashmere supply chain, from herders to retailers, to promote a global sustainability standard for
cashmere. Our vision is a future where cashmere is produced in a way that minimizes environmental
impact, safeguards herder livelihoods, and meets high welfare standards. Founded in 2015, we are a membership-based, standard holding and capacity-building organization
with teams in both the UK and Mongolia. Our SFA Cashmere Standard represents the world's first
holistic, evidence-based sustainability standard for cashmere that is both global in focus and locally
adaptable. A unique opportunity has arisen in our UK team for a permanent post in the role of Communications
Manager and is available to start in early June. The SFA work environment is fast-paced and flexible. As we are a small team, SFA employees must be
ready to adapt to new projects as they arise and assist other team members where necessary. Similar to
a start-up environment, team members have the flexibility to grow and develop their roles based on their interests and the needs of the organization. This must be balanced with a consistent and high-quality output of the role's core tasks and objectives.

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING
THE ROLE

• Develop and implement the SFA Communications Strategy, contributing to positioning the SFA as
the go-to body for cashmere sustainability, through strong and coherent messaging and tone.

• Lead the planning and promotion of key events, both online and in-person.

• Promote the SFA Standard System, helping the team to communicate complex, technical
procedures in clear and visual materials.

• Gather case studies and photos from Mongolia and China for communicating impacts and stories,
promoting and reporting on the SFA's projects and work programs, using different media such
as video, interview, and articles and ensure their distribution through relevant channels for
different stakeholders (commercial partners, NGOs, journalists, consumers).

• Create and send monthly members' bulletins and quarterly newsletters.

• Maintain up-to-date resources on the SFA website including news updates and blog posts.

• Create, edit, and schedule engaging content across our social media platforms and monitor
analytics.

• Establish and maintain effective relationships with journalists and other relevant external partners
and help respond to media inquiries.

• Coordinate the development of branding materials as required.

• Maintain and develop internal communications platforms and systems.

• Lead and manage the work of external contractors for communications, content and event-related
projects.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
The duties of the Communications Manager include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Support team members in the UK and Mongolia in developing communication plans for updates
to the SFA Standard System, changes in membership policy, and project/event developments.

• Lead the planning of events, including the quarterly members' meetings, stakeholder workshops
and the annual Natural Fibre Connect conference. The annual conference requires you to work
closely with three other industry partners, maintain event management tools and platforms,
develop event planning strategies, manage a social media team (external hire), create
promotional materials, create and launch tickets for the event, maintain guest lists, recruit
sponsorship from SFA members and partners, secure and organize speakers from the cashmere
sector, create a plan for maximizing the SFA's presence and influence at the event, ensuring the
the event runs smoothly, and conducting post-event follow-up communications.

• Support with other industry events that require the participation of the SFA. This may include
promoting the events on SFA channels, creating and maintaining guest lists, organizing
presentations and summarising the event afterward.

• Maintain the social media calendar and post regularly on the SFA's LinkedIn, Twitter and
Instagram channels. Content will be a combination of promotional posts for the SFA's work,
educational posts on herder livelihoods and cashmere production, and promotion of key events.

• Further develop the SFA's content and branding guidelines and document/presentation
templates. Ensure the team follows these guidelines and that all SFA public-facing content has a
consistent and professional look.

•Maintain website content, making updates where needed. Publish news updates for the SFA and
relevant industry partners on the website and create and execute a strategy for a website blog.

• Create the SFA's monthly bulletins and quarterly newsletters using Mailchimp. Work closely with
membership officer to maintain the mailing list.

• Manage the admin for SFA's internal communications platforms including Slack and Notion. Help
ensure the content on Notion is relevant and useful for the team and that it functions as an
internal resource database.

• Respond to member inquiries for communications support including helping them with
sustainability reporting, quotes from the SFA, updates on relevant work programs, and
assistance with tough media inquiries.

• Respond to, and seek out, media interview opportunities. Connect the journalist with a relevant
member of the team, or facilitate a written Q&A. Provide guidance on SFA messaging and
recommendations on responding to tough questions.

• Further develop and provide guidance for the SFA's crisis communications strategy.

• Support in the development of the SFA Claims guidance for brands and members, in line with
upcoming legislation and best practices.

WHAT YOU WILL BRING TO THE ROLE
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE Required:

• Demonstratable experience in a communications or marketing role, developing cohesive
communications plans, messaging, and strategies

• Experience managing social media channels

• Experience managing stakeholder communications, preferably for a non-profit/civil society
organization

• Fluency in English

• Experience in event management and planning (virtual or in-person)

• Confident in representing the organization during projects with industry partners and at
external events such as members' meetings

• Excellent written and verbal communication, with the ability to communicate to a wide range
of audiences

• Strong project management, organizational, and time management skills

• Experience developing media/journalist relationships and arranging interviews Desirable:

• Knowledge of sustainable standards and certification programs

• Experience working with fashion supply chains and relevant contacts is a strong plus

• Skills in WordPress and comfortable learning new apps and IT platforms

• Proficiency in either Chinese or Mongolian

• Experience working with internal comms platforms such as Slack and Notion

• Previous experience working in a non-profit organization

• Knowledge of agriculture, in particular, pastoralism

• Knowledge of sustainability challenges related to the production of cashmere (or other
natural fibers)

• Existing relationships with key sustainability and/or fashion journalists

• Knowledge of developing consumer-facing sustainability claims

QUALIFICATIONS

• Be educated to degree standard or equivalent qualification or experience

• At least 5 years of work experience

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
We are seeking candidates who enjoy strategic thinking and storytelling, balanced with practical project and team management, and ensuring the delivery of core communications objectives. You'll enjoy working in a small, fast-paced team environment, where the nature of the work requires dynamic and flexible working. This role will suit candidates who can think on their feet and have the confidence to
communicate our work to our members and stakeholders. Being a small NGO with limited resources,
we're looking for people with excellent people management skills who remain calm under pressure, can
oversee a busy work program, and keep an eye on the big picture. You'll be passionate about
delivering a strong communications strategy and supporting a mission of protecting herder livelihoods,
animal welfare, and the environment. HOW TO APPLY
To apply for this role, please send your CV and a cover letter to Sarah Krueger (Communications
Manager) at . Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. We thank all
applicants for their interest; however, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Don't apply for this job if you are uncomfortable working in a fast-paced frequently changing
environment, or if you prefer delegating over owning. STRICTLY NO AGENCIES HIRING STATEMENT
The Sustainable Fibre Alliance is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. Our work
environment is safe and open to all employees and partners, respecting the full spectrum of race, color, religious creed, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, political affiliation, ancestry,
age, disability, genetic information, and other classifications. Please be informed that by applying for this
position you automatically accept our Data Protection Information for processing your personal data.

Sustainable Fibre Alliance | Communications Officer Job Description

Sustainable Fibre Alliance
Page 3 of 4

• Maintain website content, making updates where needed. Publish news updates for the SFA and
relevant industry partners on the website and create and execute a strategy for a website blog.

• Create the SFA's monthly bulletins and quarterly newsletters using Mailchimp. Work closely with
membership officer to maintain the mailing list.

• Manage the admin for SFA's internal communications platforms including Slack and Notion. Help
ensure the content on Notion is relevant and useful for the team and that it functions as an
internal resource database.

• Respond to member inquiries for communications support including helping them with
sustainability reporting, quotes from the SFA, updates on relevant work programmes, and
assistance with tough media inquiries.

• Respond to, and seek out, media interview opportunities. Connect the journalist with a relevant
member of the team, or facilitate a written Q&A. Provide guidance on SFA messaging and
recommendations on responding to tough questions.

• Further develop and provide guidance for the SFA's crisis communications strategy.

• Support in the development of the SFA Claims guidance for brands and members, in line with
upcoming legislation and best practice. WHAT YOU WILL BRING TO THE ROLE
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE Required:

• Demonstratable experience in a communications or marketing role, developing cohesive
communications plans, messaging and strategies

• Experience managing social media channels

• Experience managing stakeholder communications, preferably for a non-profit/civil society
organisation

• Fluency in English

• Experience in event management and planning (virtual or in-person)

• Confident in representing the organisation during projects with industry partners and at
external events such as members' meetings

• Excellent written and verbal communication, with ability to communicate to a wide range
of audiences

• Strong project management, organisational, and time management skills

• Experience developing media/journalist relationships and arranging interviews Desirable:

• Knowledge of sustainable standards and certification programmes

• Experience working with fashion supply chains and relevant contacts is strong plus

• Skills in WordPress and comfortable learning new apps and IT platforms

• Proficiency in either Chinese or Mongolian

• Experience working with internal comms platforms such as Slack and Notion

• Previous experience working in a non-profit organisation

• Knowledge of agriculture, in particular pastoralism

• Knowledge of sustainability challenges related to the production of cashmere (or other
natural fibres)

• Existing relationships with key sustainability and/or fashion journalists

• Knowledge of developing consumer facing sustainability claims

Sustainable Fibre Alliance | Communications Officer Job Description

Sustainable Fibre Alliance
Page 4 of 4 QUALIFICATIONS

• Be educated to degree standard or equivalent qualification or experience

• At least 5 years of work experience PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
We are seeking candidates who enjoy strategic thinking and storytelling, balanced with practical project
and team management and ensuring the delivery of core communications objectives. You'll enjoy
working in a small, fast-paced team environment, where the nature of the work requires dynamic and
flexible working. This role will suit candidates who can think on their feet and have the confidence to
communicate our work to our members and stakeholders. Being a small NGO with limited resources,
we're looking for people with excellent people management skills who remain calm under pressure, can
oversee a busy work programme and keep an eye on the big picture. You'll be passionate about
delivering a strong communications strategy and supporting a mission of protecting herder livelihoods,
animal welfare and the environment. HOW TO APPLY
To apply for this role, please send your CV and a cover letter to Sarah Krueger (Communications
Manager) at Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. We thank all
applicants for their interest; however only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Don't apply for this job if you are uncomfortable working in a fast paced frequently changing
environment, or if you prefer delegating over owning. STRICTLY NO AGENCIES HIRING STATEMENT
The Sustainable Fibre Alliance is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. Our work
environment is safe and open to all employees and partners, respecting the full spectrum of race, colour,
religious creed, sex, gender identify, sexual orientation, national origin, political affiliation, ancestry,
age, disability, genetic information, and other classifications. Please be informed that by applying for this
position you automatically accept our Data Protection Information on processing your personal data.
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