Communications and Operations Manager for Mark Ruskell MSP

Location:Hybrid – between the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh, and home

Hours:30 hours a week (the Scottish Greens operate a four-day week policy, meaning that 30 hours is our full time equivalent)

Reporting to:Mark Ruskell MSP

Mark Ruskell is an MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife. He is seeking an experienced Communications and Operations Manager to lead his small team in parliament.

The Communications and Operations Manager will lead the office's communications - developing and growing Mark’s public presence, overseeing local media relationships, and ensuring the team's output tells a coherent and compelling story about the difference his work is making.

Alongside that, they will manage the operational core of the office: supporting and developing a small team and maintaining and evolving the systems that allow everyone to do their best work.

The role will suit someone who has strong political and communications instincts, understands the Mid Scotland and Fife region, and has the people skills and organisational judgment to manage a team with care.

• Managing all communications output from the Office of Mark Ruskell, with oversight of overall media strategy by:
  • Planning media campaigns and implementing media and digital communication strategy, including maintaining and growing social media presence.
  • Producing high quality press releases, speeches and written materials.
  • Drafting and posting social media content to update constituents of Mark’s parliamentary activities.
  • Keeping up to date with current media developments and representing me in dealing with the media.
  • Corresponding with constituents and local campaign groups and building and maintaining relationships with stakeholders.
• Ensuring the delivery of effective and impactful regional and portfolio work for the Office of Mark Ruskell MSP by:
  • Working with the team to design and implement regional and portfolio strategies;
  • Identifying key campaign and press opportunities for Mark Ruskell MSP in the region and in his portfolio;
  • Monitoring progress of key campaigns and communications coverage;
  • Liaising with other Scottish Greens MSP offices and the Scottish Greens’ central communications and research team as and when required.
• Acting in a supervisory capacity for the team and provide oversight of office maintenance:
  • Managing office budget in line with Members’ Expenses Scheme, Travel & Expenses Office and People Services Team.
  • Managing the Casework Coordinator, Parliamentary and Research Officer, and Regional Assistant and overseeing health and safety and staff wellbeing.
  • Overseeing all administrative procedures, ensuring documents are easily retrievable.
• Providing diary management, managing incoming and outgoing correspondence, and carrying out general office administration by:
  • Coordinating responses to all incoming correspondence while professionally managing each enquiry within agreed timescales.
  • Leading on arranging regional visits, events and surgeries.
  • Drafting written correspondence such as letters, requests for information and parliamentary questions and motions.
  • Representing on my behalf as and when required.
• Maintaining office records and compliance with data protection.
  • Maintaining filing system and managing records.
  • Ensuring compliance with data protection legislation and GDPR requirements.
• An interest in politics and the ability to support Mark Ruskell MSP in delivering his parliamentary aims and values.
• Have experience of delivering creative and impactful communications output, both in print media and digital media.
• Have experience of managing staff with the ability to nurture and build effective teams.
• Have the skills to proactively solve problems, develop effective systems, and adapt and deal with challenges.
• Be empathetic with the ability to build and maintain relationships with a variety of stakeholders.
• Be well organised with the ability to prioritise competing workloads.
• Be confident in managing budgets for staff resources and office provisions.
• Understanding of GDPR and data protection.
• Have excellent written, verbal and IT skills with accurate attention to detail.
• Willingness to travel for meetings and visits across the Mid Scotland and Fife Region
• Have experience of working in campaigns, communications or policy.
• A good understanding of the Mid Scotland and Fife region and key issues faced by constituents.
• A good understanding of the Scottish Parliament and parliamentary process.