The client

Nigel Wright is thrilled to be partnering with Gentoo on their search for a Head of Marketing & Engagement. This key hire will strengthen their business, be part of the Senior Leadership Team, and will promote Gentoo’s purpose and contribute to improving Gentoo’s tenant journey and engagement.

Gentoo is a strong purpose driven, charitable organisation who provide more than 60,000 people in the City of Sunderland with a place they can call home. With a social purpose, and a commitment to investing in people, place and property in Sunderland, the business is built on a strong & energetic Senior Leadership Team, led by Nigel Wilson, Group CEO.

The role

The role will bring dynamic change to help Gentoo ensure they deliver excellent services for tenants, communities, and partners in Sunderland. Sunderland is a city undergoing huge regeneration with a strong partnership culture amongst anchor institutions of which Gentoo is proud to be one.

The purpose of the Head of Marketing & Engagement is to lead on the creation and execution of a highly effective, creative, and high impact marketing, communications and engagement strategy that builds Gentoo’s brand and reputation, ensuring that all tenants, colleagues, partners and stakeholders understand and support Gentoo’s renewed sense of social purpose and direction.

This is a newly created role, managing a team, and is the first marketing role at leadership level. Gentoo are now in their strongest position yet with a clear strategy, vision, and values and they are looking to hire a values led senior marcoms candidate who can lead from the front and drive positive change. 

Responsibilities

• Planning, leading, and motivating the Group’s Marketing, Communications and Tenant Voice teams to deliver an outstanding service to tenants, colleagues, partners, and stakeholders with tenants at the heart of everything they do
• Development and implementation of a Marketing, Communications and Engagement strategy for tenants, colleagues, partners, and stakeholders which promotes Gentoo’s social purpose.
• Leads, inspires, and creatively facilitates engagement with Gentoo’s tenants and the Voluntary Community Sector in Sunderland.
• Defines and drives a strategic media engagement plan based on research, using multiple channels and developing and implementing a long-range plan of media opportunities; relationship building with tenants, partners, and stakeholders,  tracking of new media and policy developments to ensure that the organisation is proactively positioned and responsive to media. 
• Management of the strategic and creative design of all marketing and communications activities and materials including Website, Social media and video production, public and media relations, brand, services to tenants and all Corporate publications  
• Development of a clear and compelling brand narrative showcasing the Group’s services and achievements to existing and future tenants, colleagues, partners, and stakeholders. 
• Collaborating with User Centred Design to oversee the production of high-quality content
• Design and delivery of Corporate Events including annual tenant and colleague conferences.
• Budget management
• Works closely with the Head of HR to ensure a seamless internal communications strategy 
• Oversees the management of tenant feedback and complaints and Ombudsman interactions to contribute to improvements in tenant experience.
• Operates as a key member of Gentoo’s Senior Leadership Team

Person specification

• Aligns with Gentoo’s values and a desire to work in an organisation with a social purpose and a commitment to improving lives
• A strong marketing and communications leader with a track record of effecting change.
• Experience of developing integrated communications strategies across all aspects of external engagement, public affairs, and internal communications. 
• Able to analyse data and research and uses all modern technology platforms.
• A creative, strategic thinker with an outstanding ability to execute plans.
• Understands the importance of setting targets, goals and timelines and delivering on these.
• Ability and desire to work in a large organisation, thrives in a busy work environment and is able to delegate effectively and prioritise multiple tasks. 
•  Able to influence and negotiate with key stakeholders with proven ability to work with others to achieve results and confidence to work at a senior level with Boards and Committees.