Youth Sport Trust
Application Pack
Communications & Policy
Director
Company Background
Job Details
Function Chart
Terms and Conditions
Job Description & Person Specification
YOUTH SPORT TRUST
BACKGROUND TO THE YOUTH SPORT TRUST
The Youth Sport Trust (YST) is a dynamic and cutting edge development agency
focused on improving opportunities for young people through physical education and
sport. We are a registered charity and were established in 1995. Since then we have
undergone considerable growth and in 2007/8 our staffing complement will exceed
120 and our turnover will be in excess of £25m.
Organisational values built on trust, integrity and partnership working are central to
our work and we are resilient in maintaining our focus on the development and
delivery of interventions to support young people’s development.
The organisation has four operational objectives:
1. To increase participation and improve performance in PE and Sport.
2. To utilise PE and sport to raise young people’s attainment and achievement.
3. To secure external funding and investment for PE and sport and to promote
widely the work being undertaken.
4. Ensure that the Youth Sport Trust is a safe, secure and challenging environment
to work and that our corporate systems support the effective delivery of our work.
Each of these objectives is led by a Director. Objective One is led by Sport, Objective
two Education, Objective three Communications and Policy and Objective four
Finance and Corporate Services. These four Directors along with the Chief Executive
and Development Director form the Senior Management Team. This group, along
with an extended team of staff who occupy key roles in the organisation, make up a
Leadership Team.
The YST operates from a main office in the Sir John Beckwith Building on
Loughborough University campus and from a smaller office in London with many staff
also based remotely across the UK.
COMMUNICATIONS & POLICY DIRECTORATE
The directorate is currently made up of 13 staff organised into 3 teams:
Media
A team of 4 people manage our day-to day press and public relations operations. A
Media Relations Manager, Senior Press Officer, Press Officer and Press and Media
Assistant work reactively and pro actively with national, regional and local media
outlets including newspapers, specialist and trade publications, television and radio.
Publications
Headed by a Publications Manager this team includes Publications Officer, Design
Officer and Website Officer and they produce a range of electronic and published
resources, newsletters and publications. A growing web presence has been
developed and along with the public website www,youthsporttrust.org a series of
specialist sites are hosted to support aspects of the organisations work.
Information and Research
A team of four staff ensure that the organisation has up to the minute access to
information, policy briefings and current research finding. The team initiate regular
studies on our work and undertake analysis on a range of performance data from
Sports Colleges and School Sport Partnerships
For more information on the Youth Sport Trust and the range of
programmes we deliver visit our website on www.youthsporttrust.org
Youth Sport Trust Function Chart
EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT SPORT COMMUNICATIONS FINANCE &
& POLICY CORPORATE
SERVICES
Specialism Area Network in Participation Media Finance
Financial
SEN/Special 2010 Playgrounds/ Management
Schools Pathfinders Early Years Treasury
Subject Primary Audit
Support Participation Secondary Publications
Designation Plus Innovations
Support IT
High Quality Mainframe
Challenging Systems
PE & CPD and
programme Helpdesk
Participation
Database
Volunteering & Research &
Leadership Information
Specialism
Step into Human Resources-
Impact–
Sport HR Management
Personalised Welfare & Child
Learning Protection
Academies Sport Office Services
Core Subjects Performance-
Every Child Talent
Matters Pathways
Languages Talent Support School Support
Support Unit
N.B.
Education
Development UK School FUNDRAISING and EVENTS Function reports directly to
Games & 2012 the Chair.
Olympics INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT DOES not sit as part
of a Directorate but reports to Chief Executive.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
A full statement of the main terms and conditions of employment will be
supplied with any formal offer of employment. The information provided below
may be helpful to applicants as a guide, but should not be treated as a
substitute for a full contract of employment. Please note that terms and
conditions will be a pro-rated for part time appointments as appropriate.
HOURS OF WORK
The Communications & Policy Director will be required to work 37 hours per week.
Our office hours of work are Monday to Thursday 9.00am – 5.15pm and Friday
9.00am – 4.45pm. Furthermore you will be expected to work the hours necessary to
fulfil your duties satisfactorily.
The position will be based in our London office which is near Kings Cross.
SALARY
The salary band for the position is from £55,000.00 - £85,000.00 per annum. It is
likely that we will appoint up to mid band for this position, however for an exceptional
candidate we will consider appointing higher up the band.
Salary progression is currently based on annual performance assessment as part of
our annual appraisal scheme.
ANNUAL LEAVE
This post has an annual leave entitlement of 25 days which may be taken, subject to
approval by line manager, at any time of the year. In addition, there will be 8 bank
holidays and 5 additional days which the Youth Sport Trust determines on an annual
basis.
PENSION
The Youth Sport Trust makes an additional contribution of 5% of basic salary towards
pension contribution. The Youth Sport Trust operates a stakeholder scheme and
employees wishing to join this scheme are required to make a minimum contribution
of 5%.
CHILD CARE VOUCHERS
We operate a child care voucher scheme through Busy Bees, in which you can claim
up to £55.00 per week or £243.00 per month from your salary tax and national
insurance free for child care
HEALTHY LIVING ALLOWANCE
The Youth Sport Trust recognises the importance of an active lifestyle in order to
maintain good health and wishes to support this belief with financial support for staff
to undertake a regular fitness based activity. We provide an annual allowance of up
to £360.00 per person, payable in monthly instalments subject to complying with our
terms and conditions.
INTEREST FREE SEASON TICKET TRAVEL
The Youth Sport Trust offers interest free loans for employees to purchase
bus or train season tickets.
APPRAISAL
Initial appointment to the Youth Sport Trust is subject to a six month probationary
period. All posts in the Youth Sport Trust are subject to an annual appraisal process
with a formal six month review. Annual pay awards are performance related and
linked to appraisals and further information on this will be provided upon
appointment.
PRE –EMPLOYMENT CHECKS
Any offer of employment for this post conditional on:
The receipt of two references to the Youth Sport Trust. One referee must be your
currant or most recent employer.
Satisfactory documentary evidence of your eligibility to work in the UK in
accordance with current legislative requirements.
Your written confirmation that the information provided on your application is
correct.
Satisfactory verification of your professional qualifications
The offer of employment will be conditional on a Criminal Records Bureau check
satisfactory to the Youth Sport Trust
APPLICATION
Applications should be made using the Youth Sport Trust application form and you
should demonstrate how you meet the person specification. Please send your
application form no later than the 30th November 2007 to the following address:
Human Resources
Youth Sport Trust
Sir John Beckwith Centre for Sport
Loughborough University
Leicestershire
LE11 3TU
You may, if you wish e-mail jobs@youthsporttrust.org to receive an electronic
application form.
Please note we only accept a CV as part of a completed application from.
SELECTION
Shortlisting will take place as soon as possible following the closing date. Please
could you indicate clearly on your application a telephone number where you can be
contacted during office hours (i.e. 9am -5pm Monday to Friday).
INTERVIEWS
The interviews for this position will be held on 17 and 18 December 2007 in London.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
The Youth Sport Trust is committed to the promotion of opportunity in all fields. As an
equal opportunities employer, the Youth Sport Trust intends that no job applicant or
employee shall receive less favourable treatment because of gender, gender re-
assignment, marital or family status, age, disability, ethnic origin, creed, sexual
orientation, Trade Union membership, or by any other condition or requirement which
can not be shown to be justifiable.
FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE YOUTH SPORT TRUST
If you would like further information on the Youth Sport Trust please refer to the YST
website www.youthsporttrust.org
JOB DESCRIPTION
Position: Communications and Policy Director
Grade: Director
Responsible to: Chief Executive
Responsible for: Media Relations Manager
Publications Manager
Research Manager
Issue Date: September 2007
Outline of Role:
Strategic leadership of the Youth Sport Trust’s external and internal
communications activities, ensuring the Youth Sport Trust protects and
enhances its reputation, through understanding and being understood by
stakeholders and key audiences including the media and government.
Act as principal adviser to the Youth Sport Trust on public policy matters, and
oversee a programme of information collation and research to support the
development of policy, evidence-based advocacy and performance
measurement.
As part of the senior management team contribute to the overall strategic
direction and effectiveness of the organisation.
Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Lead the development and implementation of proactive programmes of planned
external and internal activity, creating opportunities for Youth Sport Trust to
communicate its core purpose and goals to stakeholders and key audiences
including opinion formers and the media, as well as to staff.
2. Contribute to the effective leadership of the organisation as a member of the
Senior Management Team; and work with colleagues throughout the
organisation, overseeing the development, monitoring and evaluation of a range
of corporate policies.
3. Provide people management leadership through setting direction, monitoring and
developing performance, building morale and generating a sense of common
purpose.
4. Lead the development and implementation of a publications strategy, with
responsibility for the feel and content of the Youth Sport Trust's external
electronic communications, publications and support tools.
5. Deliver against corporate plan and partner expectations for Policy &
Communications and provide regular reports on outcomes as required.
6. Lead the development and implementation of a media relations strategy across a
range of stakeholder audiences.
7. Ensure relevant briefing on developments in the UK Government and devolved
administrations and lead the development of public policy stances to support the
Youth Sport Trust in its mission to support the education and development of all
young people through physical education (PE) and sport.
8. Manage the development and implementation of an information collation and
research strategy to support policy development, public advocacy and measure
the Youth Sport Trust’s reputation with stakeholders and opinion formers.
9. Liaise closely with the Fundraising Director to ensure corporate relationships are
promoted effectively, that any communication sensitivities are managed and that
there is an effective communications input to YST events.
10. Ensure the effective management and monitoring of the financial resources
required to deliver the plans for the Policy & Communications functions.
11. Provide expert advice and reporting to the CEO, Chair and Board on all policy
and communications matters.
12. Any other duties which may be reasonably required from time to time and which are
commensurate with the post.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Communications and Policy Director
Experience Essential Desirable
1. Proven experience of working at a senior level in a
communications environment.
3. Experience of working in a highly politicised environment and of
working with MP’s and local politicians.
4. Experience of dealing with national media and strategic media
planning with local/national/trade media.
5. Proven experience in developing and implementing internal and
external communication strategies.
6. Experience of managing, developing and motivating a team.
Knowledge/Understanding Essential Desirable
1. Good knowledge and understanding of PE and School Sport.
2. Knowledge of the sporting landscape in UK and understanding of
the roles and responsibilities of key partner organisations.
Skills and Abilities Essential Desirable
1. Excellent influencing skills
2. Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills
3. Excellent project management and organisational skills
4. Ability to handle controversial issues with sensitivity and diplomacy
and ensure positive outcomes
5. Ability to engage and inspire a range of audiences
6. Excellent report writing skills