the culture
shedkm is a forward looking EO practice and proud member of the B Corp movement. The practice consists of 3 studios in Liverpool, London and Manchester with 40+ permanent staff, plus specialist contractors, and a strong mentoring culture.
- shedkm’s work is rooted in regeneration. Our distinctive approach results in bold, engaging schemes which are economically and socially transformative.
- We take a socially responsive, people-first approach to placemaking, creating vibrant neighbourhoods and long-term social sustainability.
- We deliver innovation through strategic commercial thinking, a strong design rationale and our enterprising approach challenges design assumptions to add value for clients and end users.
the team
The position of External Communications Lead sits alongside the Brand Lead. The team is further strengthened by our Graphic Designer. The comms team covers all aspects of internal and external communications, reporting directly to shedkm’s Managing Director.
the role
The role leads on all aspects of the practice’s press and external public relations, including development of shedkm’s profile through events, exhibitions, awards and networking.
Below are the main aspects of the role:
press
- Develop and maintain a good press database
- Prepare individual project press strategies and material, liaising with clients and clients’ agencies as needed
- Develop and implement press campaigns
- Work with Brand lead to align external press with social media outputs
- Develop profile of key individuals within the practice
- Liaise with project teams to prepare project assets for press
- Manage requests for information from press
social media
- Complete ownership over creating written and visual content for shedkm’s LinkedIn and Instagram pages and scheduling and posting on platforms.
- Knowledge of social media development, to ensure continued reach and audience growth.
- Knowledge of paid social media development advantageous but not essential.
copywriting
- Strong copywriting skills are essential for this role
- Write copy for website, including project case studies, original journal pieces and other ad-hoc ‘about us’ information and team bios where required
- Write copy for press releases and press pitches
- Write copy for a variety of social media posts
events and external profile
- Maintain and update a comprehensive industry events calendar
- Co-ordinate practice attendance at conferences, awards and events, and follow up with content creation
- Liaise with key organisations to develop external profile of the practice e.g NLA, RIBA, LFA, The Developer
- Assist with co-ordination and organisation of events
- Relevant experience and networks in architectural / built environment comms are essential
awards
- Oversee a rolling programme of award submissions – assemble imagery with the support of the Brand team, write text with the support of architects or clients, if necessary.
- Maintain and update annual awards schedule, with records of projects submitted and status
- Help to coordinate visits to projects and publicise wins or shortlisting on shedkm’s platforms
competencies
Relevant experience and networks in architectural / built environment comms are essential, alongside high quality copywriting. We anticipate 3+ years of solid comms experience, but crucially you must have delivered quality comms campaigns for significant projects and be able to promote our projects with passion. It requires a person with the correct balance of tenacity, diligence, enthusiasm and self motivation combined with experience, wisdom, approachability and the ability to collaborate.
package
- Salaried, part-time 3 day per week, 09:00 to 17:30
- Offered on a hybrid basis, proposed as 2 days in the Farringdon studio and 1 day remote working. However, we want the role to be accessible to candidates with a broard range of needs and we are open to flexibility within the working pattern, for example 3 days in 4/5 allowing a shorter working day.
- Annual leave of 20 days (pro rata), plus 5 working days for practice wide Christmas closure, plus public holidays. In addition we offer your birthday off, plus 1 volunteering day, plus option of 1 day for practicing religious festivals not covered by UK public holidays e.g. Diwali, Eid, Yom Kippur
- Medical cashplan through Westfield Health and an extensive Employee Assistance Programme
- Annual practice study trip to a city of architectural merit (normally abroad)
- Cycle to work scheme
application
Please send your CV and a cover note explaining why your skillsets suit shedkm and what you would bring to our profile and our team.
Closing date for applications: 22 July
In person interviews: 31 July / 4 August
Start date: September (earlier start date available if no notice period applies)
shedkm is a committed equal opportunities employer and operates an anonymised CV screening process for interview selection. We are open to questions about flexibility. For salary guidance and any other queries contact our Head of People and Culture, Karo Bryant.
No agencies (speculative agency approaches will not be replied to due to capacity)