Head of Communications and Membership Engagement

Merrifield Consultants are delighted to be partnering with The Clothworkers’ Company, a prestigious and historic livery not‑for‑profit organisation, to recruit their Head of Communications and Membership Engagement to cover a 6 month maternity leave. This is a rare opportunity to join a respected institution with a rich heritage and a strong philanthropic mission.

Summary of the role

This role leads the communications strategy for both The Clothworkers’ Company and The Clothworkers’ Foundation, safeguarding their reputation and strengthening stakeholder relationships. It also oversees membership engagement for 800+ Members, shaping communications, events and the wider membership journey. The postholder will play a key role in organisational projects, including rebranding and major anniversary planning.

Role Details

Job: Head of Communications and Membership Engagement

Team: Senior Leadership Team

Working with: Clerk, Foundation Director, Court and Committees

Management: Small team responsible for membership communications, events, and office administration

Contract: 6 month fixed-term maternity cover

Salary: £65,000 – £70,000 (pro rata)

Location: London (with some travel outside London for meetings and events)

Working pattern: Full-time, hybrid (3 days in the office) with flexibility required for events including evenings and weekends

Start date: Beginning May

Responsibilities

Lead and deliver the communications strategy for both The Clothworkers’ Company and The Clothworkers’ Foundation.
Manage public relations, reputation safeguarding, and proactive risk awareness.
Oversee print publications, digital channels, social media, and ad hoc communications projects.
Ensure strong brand management and consistency across all collateral.
Produce speeches, presentations, and event-related messaging.
Monitor and report on communications KPIs and campaign performance.
Develop and deliver the membership engagement strategy, including events that foster community and connection.
Work with internal teams to deliver key Company events and develop new engagement formats (e.g., virtual events, volunteer activities).
Provide reports and recommendations to the Clerk and Committees on membership development, recruitment, and succession planning.
Oversee data protection compliance and management of the membership database.
Act as staff project manager for the organisational rebranding project.
Support planning for major anniversaries, including the Foundation’s 50th and the Company’s 500th.

Person Specification

Significant experience in communications leadership, ideally within a membership, heritage, philanthropic, or not‑for‑profit environment.
Strong strategic capability paired with hands on delivery across digital, print, and stakeholder communications.
Proven experience in reputation management and brand stewardship.
Excellent writing, editing and messaging skills, with the ability to tailor tone for diverse audiences.
Experience developing and delivering engagement strategies and events.
Confident working with senior stakeholders, committees and cross functional teams.
Strong project management skills, with experience overseeing complex or multi stakeholder projects.
Understanding of data protection requirements and database management.
A collaborative, diplomatic, and proactive approach, with the ability to represent a historic organisation with professionalism and care.
Line management experience and a commitment to team development.

If you are an experienced communications leader with a passion for engagement, heritage, and mission driven work, we would love to hear from you. Please apply today to be considered for this exceptional opportunity.

We practice a diverse and inclusive recruitment process that ensures equal opportunity for all we work with, irrespective of race, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, age or gender. As an organisation, we encourage applications from all backgrounds and will ensure measures are met when required, to allow a fair process throughout.