Communications Director (Scotland)
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Responsible for communications strategy, reporting directly to the leader. Chief-of-staff during election campaigns and strategic communications adviser to Shadow Cabinet politicians in UK and Scottish parliaments. Line-manager for press and digital officers, responsible for media relations with the UK’s most senior journalists and editors, and the party’s lead on stakeholder engagement and public affairs. Responsible for all internal communication within the party and external communication with voters – including direct-to-voter correspondence and brand creation and management. Strategic advice to the UK Leader of the Opposition Office and Parliamentary Labour Party. Editor of General Election manifesto, speech-writing including keynote conference addresses and scripts for First Minister’s Questions, forward-planning and event management, crisis communications and campaign strategies. Lead negotiator for broadcast debates, liaison with governments and parties during national emergencies, media training for politicians, and budget management. Responsibility for all press releases and digital output, including the party's website. Following resignation of leader Kezia Dugdale, subsequent roles included:May 2018 - February 2021: Senior adviser to Anas Sarwar MSP and his Scottish Labour leadership campaign. April 2018 - January 2019: Head of Communications, Catherine Stihler MEP.February 2018 - December 2018: Senior Parliamentary Adviser to Kezia Dugdale MSP.September 2017 - November 2017: Communications Director, Anas Sarwar for Scottish Labour Leader campaign.
