Head of Policy and Communications

Head of Policy and Communications The post holder will be responsible for the overall operation, leadership, management, and day to day running of SDF’s communication activity and policy work. They will ensure a high-quality service to internal staff requiring communications support and external stakeholders, including SDF’s membership, with policy and information needs. They will be responsible for driving the ongoing development of SDF’s communications and policy work. The post holder will: lead on SDF’s policy and practice activity. lead and manage SDF’s communications including website, social media, membership communication, resource production. manage SDF’s proactive and reactive media work Reports : The post holder will directly oversee the work of the Communications Team which incorporates the Content Creator and Editor and Peer Engagement Officer (peer magazine), our Communication and Design Officer and Communications Worker The key tasks will be: 1. Business Development Lead and represent SDF communications and policy and practice activity within the current organisational strategy. Develop and market SDF’s resources, events and merchandise. Negotiate, create, and maintain contacts with external partners with a focus on policy and practice, communications and marketing. Measure the impact of activity against target outcomes. Support and assist SDF’s fundraising activity 2. Management and delivery of communications, policy and practice activity Manage all aspects of SDF’s communications and policy and practice activity ensuring delivery of targets is within timelines and budgets. Manage the day-to-day operational aspects of the programme, provide line management and clear direction and leadership for the Communications Team and encourage, motivate, and develop team members. Fulfil and / or delegate to the Communications Team, as appropriate, elements of the communications work. Develop links and liaise with internal colleagues with communication and information needs; and with external stakeholders, including members, on their information needs and consultation activity. Brief and consult with SDF staff, SDF members and wider stakeholders and develop, prepare and dispatch SDF responses to Government, local authority and other national and local consultations. Lead discussions about the development of SDF’s communications and policy activity and identify emerging policy development. Promote SDF’s policy and practice role and the wider work of SDF. Maintain regular contact with internal stakeholders on policy and practice. Manage and co-ordinate the SDF Staff Policy Forum and co-ordinate the Multi-Agency Substance Use Policy Group. Develop the use of SDF’s customer relationship management system (Beacon). Establish and maintain links with external organisations from related fields with a view to developing policy and identifying and describing good practice. This includes hosting and co-ordinating The Substance Use Policy Group. Communicate with SDF members and wider stakeholders and establish and maintain the credibility of SDF as an information source – compile and edit SDF e:Bulletin; provide initial contact for all media enquiries; provide background briefings to the media; draft SDF’s written media responses for the CEO. Prepare and distribute media releases. Provide briefings on policy and practice issues for members, MSPs, researchers, academics and other stakeholders. Develop and nurture relationships with external stakeholders including members, funders, commissioners, and delivery partners to identify and progress opportunities for collaborative working and partnership development which align with SDF’s values and strategic priorities. Contribute to the development of a programme of events – conferences, podcasts and webinars; co-host SDF’s webinars and podcasts; provide on-day management and support to SDF’s conferences. Liaise with Parliamentary authorities and the office of the Convenor of the Scottish Parliament Cross Party Croup on Substance Use; fulfil the role of Secretary of the CPG on behalf of SDF. Ensure appropriate development, implementation, monitoring, reporting, evaluation and revision of the SDF’s communications, and policy and practice activity. Ensure all activities and materials meet with relevant organisational and statutory policies. Monitor and evaluate activity ensuring they operate to high standards. Generate income and manage costs, liaising with other managers and the Head of Finance. Ensure appropriate development, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and revision of all programme activity. Compile regular progress reports for SG and any other relevant funders/stakeholders as required. Achieve required levels of income, by diversifying and growing funding streams and shaping future opportunities. Manage programme budget and spend. Provide information; reports, funding bids and evaluations as required. Maintain SDF’s relationship with international agencies and organisations and support visits to Scotland by international visitors hosted by SDF or others 3. Promotion of Scottish Drugs Forum Represent SDF at meetings, on media and through input at events organised by SDF and other organisations. Actively promote SDF’s membership to key stakeholders. Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of policy agendas and key influencing priorities for SDF through active engagement with external agencies, stakeholders, and policy makers. Identify and produce material for inclusion in SDF’s publications. Provide material for inclusion in SDF’s reports and e-bulletin. Teamwork is a vital aspect to the success of SDF and all members of staff are expected to: Take part in regular team and inter-departmental meetings. Integrate with the wider SDF team. Provide support in relation to management issues across SDF. Cover for absent staff where applicable. Other tasks Support the aims and objectives of the Scottish Drugs Forum and demonstrate understanding of, and active commitment to, the ethos and objectives of SDF. This will involve a partnership approach that supports communication, membership activities such as policy consultations, seminars, and internal working groups. Adhere to all internal and external SDF policies, procedures, systems, and guidelines and to contribute constructively, as required to their ongoing development. Maintain positive and constructive working relationships and work collaboratively with all members of your immediate team and the wider SDF team, to ensure that all staff are kept up to date with all relevant issues and developments. Establish and maintain good external relationships with SDF stakeholders. Actively participate in supervision, appraisals and team and All Staff meetings. Identify and meeting continual professional development and training needs as part of an ongoing process to keep knowledge up to date and relevant. Undertake other duties relevant to the post and on occasion wider duties pertinent to SDF’s strategic objectives and appropriate to the seniority of the post. Maintain confidentiality, as appropriate, with sensitive or privileged information, including day-to-day observance of Data Protection guidelines. Secure premises, including setting alarm, as necessary. Have regard for your own personal health and safety and that of those around you.

Location: Glasgow, GB

Posted Date: 5/17/2025