Creative Copywriter

The work of the directorate's teams includes delivery of major events, designing and leading public affairs or marketing campaigns, providing data, evidence and analysis, leading cross-organisational programmes, to making sure we plan for and can respond to emerging events or emergencies in our city.

We're looking for a creative copywriter, ideally with integrated agency experience, to join our in-house creative team.

You'll use your creativity to create compelling headlines and messaging for integrated marketing campaigns that work across different platforms and channels to help promote the work of the Mayor of London and London Assembly brands.

Working directly with designers you'll develop ideas that help tell a story to provide information, raise awareness or understanding, or change behaviours or attitudes. At the same time, you will always maintain a consistent tone of voice.

You'll have exceptional writing skills with excellent attention to detail as well as the ability to collaborate with a range of different roles, both internally and externally. Naturally, you'll have an understanding of plain English, and be able to adapt your style to a variety of London audiences.

If you are enthusiastic about London with a passion for language, then apply now by telling us why you'd be good at this job.

Principal accountabilities

• To work within the Creative team to provide a creative copywriting and editing service that supports the production of integrated advertising campaigns that are effective across a wide range of media channels including social media, print, web, email, radio and video scripts.

• Interpret briefs, research competitors and target audiences to produce original, clear, credible and persuasive ideas for headlines, messages, language packs and scripts to support campaign objectives.

• Ensure that copy ideas generated use plain English, adhere to the organisation's editorial and language guidelines and are audience focussed – tailoring messages, scripts and storyboards as appropriate to each channel.

• Proofread, edit and check spelling and grammar, amending/revising campaign messages in response to feedback from focus groups and/or stakeholders.

• Develop, review and maintain City Hall's editorial and language guidelines. Ensure that the guidelines remain relevant in light of key trends and popular culture and are adhered to across the organisation by working collaboratively with City Hall staff.

• Work with internal clients and project owners to ensure that appropriate planning is undertaken to identify and manage copywriting/editing/proofreading tasks appropriately.

• Be pro-active in identifying and managing the workload to ensure efficient management of resources, escalating any potential resource 'crunches' to the Creative Services Manager in a timely manner.

• Support the Creative Services Manager in promoting a consistent tone of voice and style for the organisation's communications, working with internal stakeholders to educate them and provide guidance.

• Assist with editorial copywriting when necessary, providing internal copy writing, sub editing and proof-reading services that meets the needs of internal stakeholders from policy teams.

• Ensure that the language used in marketing communications is accessible to all and complies with City Hall's Accessible Communications Policy.

Person specification

Technical requirements/experience/qualifications

• Substantial experience within a similar role – working for a high-profile organisation.

• MS Office, Adobe Acrobat, working knowledge of Adobe CC Indesign would be advantageous but not essential.

Behavioural competencies

Planning and Organising
thinking ahead, managing time, priorities and risk, and developing structured and efficient approaches to deliver work on time and to a high standard.

Level 2 indicators of effective performance

• Priorities work in line with key team or project deliverables.

• Makes contingency plans to account for changing work priorities, deadlines and milestones.

• Identifies and consults with sponsors or stakeholder in planning work.

• Pays close attention to detail, ensuring team's work is delivered to a high standard.

• Negotiates realistic timescales for work delivery, ensuring team deliverable can be met.

Responding to Pressure and Change
being flexible and adapting positively, to sustain performance when the situation changes, workload increase, tensions rise or priorities shift.

Level 2 indicators of effective performance

• Maintains a focus on key priorities and deliverables, staying resilient in the face of pressure.

• Anticipates and adapts flexibly to changing requirements.

• Uses challenges as an opportunity to learn and improve.

• Participates fully and encourages other to engage in change initiatives.

Organisational Awareness
understanding and being sensitive to organisational dynamics, culture and polities across and beyond the GLA and shaping our approach accordingly.

Level 2 indicators of effective performance

• Challenges unethical behaviour

• Uses understanding of the GLA's complex partnership arrangements to deliver effectively.

• Recognises how political changes and sensitivities impact on own and team's work.

• Is aware of the changing needs of Londoners, anticipating resulting changes for work agendas.

• Follows the GLA's position in the media and understands how it impact on work.

Communicating and Influencing
present information and arguments clearly and convincingly so that others see us as credible and articulate and engage with us

Level 2 indicators of effective performance

• Communicates openly and inclusively with internal and external stakeholders.

• Clearly articulates the key points of an argument, both verbal and written communication.

• Persuades others, using evidence-based knowledge, modifying approach to deliver message effectively.

• Challenges the views of others in an open and constructive way.

• Presents a credible and positive image both internally and externally.

Stakeholder Focus
consulting with, listening to and understanding the needs of those our work impacts and using this knowledge to shape what we do and manage others' expectations.

Level 2 indicators of effective performance

• Seeks to understand requirements, gathering extra information when needs are not clear.

• Presents the GLA positively by interacting effectively with stakeholders.

• Delivers a timely and accurate service.

• Understands the differing needs of stakeholders and adapt own service accordingly.

• Seeks and uses feedback from a variety of sources to improve the GLA's service to Londoners.

This role is based at City Hall, in the Royal Docks (Kamal Chunchie Way, London, E16 1ZE).
GLA staff are hybrid working up to 3 days a week in our offices and remotely depending on their role. As part of this, you will need to split your time between home working and coming into the office.

Application Process & Additional Information

Please note all applications for this vacancy must be submitted via our online recruitment system. We do not accept CVs alone for this role.
If you would like to apply for the role you will need to submit the following:

• Up to date CV

• Personal statement with a maximum of 1500 words. Please ensure you address how you demonstrate the essential criteria outlined above in the advert.

• Examples of your best campaign work (no more than five examples) including one used across social media advertising. You can provide a weblink/s in your personal statement or alternatively email a pdf, separately to the application process, to clearly marked with your name in the file title.
Please ensure your CV and Personal Statement have a maximum file size of 1.5MB each and upload your Personal Statement to the 'Additional Documents' section of the form, ensuring you address the technical requirements and competencies in your Personal Statement.
Word or PDF format preferred and do not include any photographs or images. Please ensure your CV and Personal Statement are saved with the job reference number as part of the naming convention (E.g. "CV – applicant name

Applications submitted without a Personal Statement will not be considered.
London's diversity is its biggest asset and we strive to ensure our workforce reflects London's diversity at all levels. We welcome applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability.
We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority ethnic candidates and disabled candidates who are currently underrepresented in our workforce.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and we are happy to consider flexible working arrangements. We would welcome applications from candidates who are seeking part time work as this role is open to job share.
In addition to a good salary package, you will be paid every four weeks, providing frequent salary payments. We also offer an attractive range of benefits including 30 days' annual leave, interest free season ticket loan, interest free bicycle loan and a career average pension scheme.

On this recruitment campaign, as part of GLA's continuing commitment to be an inclusive and equal opportunity employer we will be removing personal identifiable information from CVs and Personal Statements that could cause discrimination.
Reasonable adjustment will be made to working arrangements to accommodate a person with a disability who otherwise would be prevented from undertaking the work.

Application closing date: Monday 5 August 2024 at 23:59