Join IVAR as Director of Communications

About the role

Working closely with the Director of Research and the research team, you will lead the articulation, presentation and dissemination of learning, insights and messages from our diverse portfolio of projects, supporting the continuous improvement of writing and research communications, and ensuring our work has the greatest possible impact.  

As Director of Communications, you will also be expected to work closely with the Director – who leads IVAR’s work with funders and supervises a range of individual projects – to help IVAR achieve its potential to influence and shape the operating environment for small charities.

Alongside that, you will take the lead, with the Director of Research, on a range of organisational management tasks, to ensure that IVAR has the culture, systems and support in place for staff to flourish and deliver work of the highest quality.

About you

You will be a strategic thinker with strong communication and influencing skills, a passion for IVAR’s mission and an affinity with our values. We are looking for someone who has extensive experience in using communications to both inform and influence; confidence in facing both internally and externally; has led evidence-based policy/influencing programmes; and been part of a Senior Leadership Team, while also being comfortable with ‘mucking in’ as part of a small organisation. 

You may have worked for a funder, a campaigning organisation, or for a think tank. You will be comfortable operationalising and then communicating big ideas, representing the organisation externally and jointly leading on internal management, as part of a Senior Leadership Team (SLT). This will be underpinned by a strong understanding of and interest in the voluntary and funding sectors.

If you are motivated by this mix of work – we would love to hear from you. 

Application process

If you would like an informal conversation about the role, please email Diana@ivar.org.uk, or for any application queries please email Stephanie Rough, our recruitment partner at Ditton HR: stephanirerough@dittonhr.co.uk

Closing date: 5pm on Wednesday 8^th January

In-person interviews (including a task at the start of the interview): Thursday 23^rd January (shortlisted candidates will be informed by Friday 17^th January)

Start date: We are hoping the successful candidate would be able to start by 1^st April.

If you cannot make the proposed interview date, please let us know when you apply.

To apply, please complete an online application with our HR recruitment partners, Ditton HR, by the closing date by clicking on the button below.

Please submit your CV, a cover letter (maximum of two A4 sides) and links to a couple of examples of reports/papers that you have authored. Your cover letter should include:

• Why you are applying
• How you meet the person specification
• Your availability to start
• What in particular you would bring to IVAR

We value, welcome and respect all the differences that make us who we are, including: age, cultural background, disability and mental health, ethnicity and race, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, and social background.