Communications Officer

As a Communications Officer at Marine Society & Sea Cadets, your responsibilities include planning and executing national events, managing event logistics such as venue selection and vendor liaising, and overseeing budgets while providing financial reports. You will also support administrative tasks and collaborate with the communications team on campaigns. Your role is essential for enhancing the charity's public profile and stakeholder engagement.

To be eligible for the Communications Officer position at MSSC, you should possess a degree or equivalent experience in a communications environment. You should also have excellent written and verbal communication skills, a keen attention to detail, and experience in maintaining good relations with vendors and service providers. Familiarity with administrative tasks is also a plus.

The Communications Officer at MSSC plays a vital role in organizing, managing, and overseeing the logistics of national events. This includes everything from planning the agenda, negotiating contracts with venues, ensuring ample transportation, and coordinating catering to supervising event operations, all to ensure a successful execution that aligns with MSSC's brand values.

The Communications Officer at MSSC benefits from a competitive salary, generous annual leave, hybrid working options, private medical insurance, and a strong emphasis on employee development through numerous learning opportunities. Additionally, MSSC provides life assurance, a pension scheme with employer contributions, and various wellbeing resources.

Essential skills for the Communications Officer role at Marine Society & Sea Cadets include strong organizational and planning skills, effective communication abilities (both written and oral), attention to detail, and experience working with teams and vendors. Being proactive, adaptable, and possessing a collaborative spirit will also help you succeed in this vibrant team environment.

When managing multiple events, prioritization and organization are key. I create detailed timelines and checklists for each event and utilize project management tools to keep tasks on track. Setting clear milestones ensures that every event progresses smoothly, while regular communication with team members maintains alignment and addresses any arising issues promptly.

In my previous role, I successfully managed various vendors by establishing strong relationships based on clear communication and mutual respect. I ensured to set expectations upfront, negotiate contracts carefully, and conduct regular check-ins to maintain quality service. This approach fostered effective collaborations, essential for seamless events.

To optimize attendance, I'd leverage a multi-channel communication strategy, including social media, email campaigns, and collaboration with stakeholders to spread the word. Crafting compelling content highlighting the event's value and engaging directly with potential attendees is crucial. Additionally, implementing early-bird registration or referral incentives can further drive interest.

Ensuring event alignment with the organization’s brand values begins with clear communication with stakeholders about our goals. I carefully select venues and services that reflect these values and design event materials that resonate with our branding. Gathering feedback post-event helps optimize future efforts in maintaining this alignment.

During a major event, we experienced a last-minute venue cancellation. I quickly engaged our network to identify alternative options, reassured stakeholders with immediate updates, and facilitated transfers efficiently to maintain our timeline. The experience underscored the necessity for contingency planning and flexibility in event management.

To evaluate an event's success, I look beyond attendance numbers. Gathering feedback through surveys and informal discussions provides insight into participants’ experiences. Assessing whether the objectives were met, analyzing financial outcomes against budgets, and reviewing stakeholder engagement metrics are all essential components of my evaluation process.

For internal communications, I focus on clarity and engagement. I use accessible language, include visuals where appropriate, and ensure that messages are concise yet informative. Involving team members in content creation can add authenticity and bolster engagement, while regular updates keep everyone informed and connected.

I would first listen carefully to the feedback, ensuring I understand the concerns raised. Acknowledging the issue is important, as is expressing gratitude for the feedback. I would investigate further and take actionable steps to address the concerns, sharing results with stakeholders and ensuring improved practices for future events.

Collaboration is vital in my role. I believe in fostering a team-oriented environment where ideas can be freely shared, ensuring that all voices are heard. Engaging with different team members allows for diverse perspectives, which ultimately leads to more innovative approaches to communication and event planning.

I actively engage in professional networks and attend relevant workshops and seminars to stay informed on best practices in communications. Reading industry blogs and subscribing to newsletters from leading organizations allow me to gather insights and continuously improve my strategies and techniques.