Head of Campaigns and Advocacy

The headlines

Reporting to: Managing Director

Overseeing: Campaigns & Advocacy team (3-4 staff) with considerable cross-working with Creative Services team and business development

Level: Senior Leadership Team

Hours: Four days per week

Location: Bristol, with the option of remote or flexible working for the right candidate 

Salary: £40,000-£50,000 pa, pro rata, depending on experience 

About Mindfully Wired 

Mindfully Wired, (hereafter MW) is a cause-and-effect communications agency, unique in our ability to provide purpose-powered comms that shape and change the world for the better, in the UK and beyond. We have a deep specialism in working with NGOs, governments, research bodies and public sector organisations within the ocean, marine and fisheries spheres. We also work across other sustainability and environmental briefs, and this is an area of the business we are actively looking to grow in 2025 and beyond. As a group, we’re hugely passionate about the causes we serve and work non-stop with our minds alive with ideas and our hearts on our sleeves.

As a consultancy, we offer everything from communications strategy development, stakeholder engagement, events, and web and graphic design to film and podcast production; copy-editing, media management, and full campaign execution. We work across a range of geographies and with an exciting and broad range of clients. Despite this variety, at the heart of all we do is the desire to communicate complex science issues creatively and concisely, and tailor content of all forms to its intended audience. 

The Role

Mindfully Wired is structured around three teams: Campaigns & Advocacy, Science & Policy and Creative Services. The Campaigns & Advocacy team’s work currently spans consumer-facing seafood marketing and safety at sea campaigning, pioneering initiatives that support a sustainable seafood future, and stakeholder and advocacy campaigning on topics such as species protection and the blue economy.

Our point of difference is that collectively our team is the perfect blend of science with creativity. With this in mind, ideally, the person who comes in to lead the Campaigns & Advocacy team will bring a wealth of communications expertise coupled with either subject matter expertise in ocean sustainability or a willingness and an aptitude to learn and grasp these oftentimes complex issues. A deep interest in the environment and experience in delivering environmental and / or sustainability communications is non-negotiable in this role.

Further to a company restructure in 2024, the Campaigns & Advocacy team is primed for growth in 2025, and we’re seeking an ambitious and passionate comms professional to come in and steer the small (four people) but perfectly formed team.

This is a pivotal role that requires a blend of subject matter expertise in all things ‘blue environment’, communications nous, strategic counsel, line management and operational prowess. You’ll be comfortable developing campaign strategy and tactics and will have experience in integrated campaign planning and execution across multiple channels including earned media, social media, paid media, influencer etc.

 The position covers both project delivery and business development and befitting the seniority of the role, the Head of Campaigns & Advocacy will also be a member of Mindfully Wired’s Senior Leadership team (SLT). This means that you will also work closely with our Founder, Managing Director, Associate Director, Head of Finance, Head of Science & Policy and Senior Operations Manager to ensure the smooth running of the business.

Person specification:

Ideally, we’re looking for someone with experience working in communications agencies or busy in-house comms teams. The right fit for this role will be an individual with a passion for people and process, a desire for detail, care about quality and above all, someone who is committed to delivering Mindfully Wired’s purpose of “doing the right thing better.”

You’ll have a keen sense of personal and professional purpose, but you also won’t take yourself too seriously. You’ll be a curious, passionate, professional and personable individual who can speak to anyone, process information quickly, hit the ground running and have fun doing it. 

You’ll be a solutions-oriented problem solver capable of strategic thinking and day-to-day delivery. You’ll be adept at juggling and plate spinning and you’ll be comfortable being an all-rounder, working across multiple areas, as detailed below.

Commercial and client responsibilities 

You will assume senior-level responsibility for the Campaigns & Advocacy client portfolio. 

Operations:

• You will assume ownership of Campaigns & Advocacy project and resource planning to ensure that team members are meeting their billability targets. You will have high-level oversight of all work undertaken by the team – priority projects, pressures, budgets and future work pipeline – and together with the wider SLT, you will make resourcing decisions to ensure the health and growth of the team, and of the portfolio managed by the team. 
• A key objective of the role is to ensure that the team has full, diverse and well-managed portfolios of client delivery in the short, medium and longer term.

Clients: 

• In addition to having a helicopter view of team operations, you will also be client-facing across a core client portfolio, which will be guided by individual professional strengths, preferences and ambitions. 
• You will provide senior-level ‘client sponsorship,’ taking responsibility for the Campaigns & Advocacy project portfolio to ensure they are delivered on time, to budget and that clients are delighted with the work they receive. 
• We need someone who is happy to develop a campaign strategy on one day while scrutinising a budget the next. 
• You will be expected to review client-facing work as well as support the delivery team, helping them deliver their best work. You’ll know when to step in, and when to step back.
• You will also be required to support more junior staff in resolving miscommunications or challenging situations with clients. 
• The role will also involve building long-term, trusting and positive relationships with key clients at the most senior level.

Business development: 

• You will play a critical role in business development. This is likely to involve being the first responder for inbound tenders and requests for proposals, as well as more proactive long-term horizon-scanning for opportunities of relevance to the team. You’ll be expected to hunt for new work and new opportunities for the business. 
• You will be comfortable drafting and submitting responses to client requests for quotes and ensuring that quoted costs are in line with actual delivery and the company’s needs. 
• You will also be expected to represent MW externally at a senior level. This might include speaking at an event, networking at an event and / or producing thought-leadership content on MW’s and on your own social media channels.

Line-management responsibilities 

You will be the senior figurehead for the Campaigns & Advocacy team and the go-to person for pastoral needs. You’ll be their number-one cheerleader when the going is good, and you’ll have their backs when the chips are down. You’ll display leadership qualities and you’ll be a role model for the team to aspire to.

Specifically, you will:

• Oversee and line-manage the Project Lead and Senior Consultant. This will include conducting annual performance reviews as well as more regular check-ins on wellbeing and performance-related matters.
• Advise and support the wider Campaigns & Advocacy team in their own line-management duties, and on client projects as required.
• Working in tandem with the Managing Director to oversee, shape and support professional development within all roles within the team.
• Manage day-to-day workflow for the team.
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program

Applications

Think this sounds like the right role for you? Get in touch!

Applications are open until Monday 13 January. Please submit an engaging one-page cover letter and a CV of no more than two sides. Interviews will take place before the end of January.

If you have any questions about your application or the role please contact recruitment@mindfullywired.org.