Job Description

MemberWise Jobs is pleased to support another distinguished client in the membership and association sector to fill their latest opportunity. Please apply if you believe you have the experience for this role or share it with someone else who might be interested in it. Longlisted CVs will be shared directly with the client and you may be contacted directly by them - although please note you may be required to submit a covering letter.

The Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO) is the professional body for dispensing opticians in the UK. Our role is to support and represent our members, enable them to develop their roles, promote awareness of their expertise and advance the profession.

ABDO is seeking to recruit an experienced and innovative Communications and Engagement Director to lead its communications, engagement and membership functions, including driving improved member engagement and the acquisition of new members.

The role

The Communications and Engagement Director will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer and be a member of the Senior Leadership Team. As such the role holder will have responsibility for contributing to wider programmes and projects and the delivery of the organisation's strategic priorities.

The role involves direct responsibility for ABDO's membership and communication departments and also responsibility for overseeing and providing strategic advice on ABDO College's communications and stakeholder engagement activities.

The holder of this new role will be focused on enhancing the member experience, developing strategies to attract and retain members, and achieving targets for growth.

The successful candidate will also lead the development and delivery of ABDO's external and internal communication strategies, ensuring that they are aligned to its strategic objectives.

Suitable candidates will possess:

A degree and appropriate professional qualification.

Significant leadership experience in a communications and/or engagement role, preferably within a membership organisation.

Experience of leading and developing high performing teams.

Experience of implementing and working effectively with CRM systems.

We would also expect applicants to be able to demonstrate their capabilities and relevant experience in relation to:

Communication: excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.

Membership processes: managing membership processes and ways of working in line with best practice, including a strong focus on excellent customer service.

Product management: developing, enhancing, and promoting membership products and services and delivering a compelling membership value proposition.

Business development: innovating and driving member acquisition, expansion and growth across all target audiences.

Strategic thinking: ability to see the bigger picture and set direction, as well as take a 'hands on' approach to ensure the successful delivery of plans.

Project management: project leadership to ensure the delivery of agreed outputs on time and on budget.

Financial management: experience of managing budgets and ensuring the cost-effective delivery of objectives.

In addition, experience of working within the eyecare, or other healthcare sectors, would be an advantage, but is not essential.

Employment benefits

30 days Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays.

Birthday Leave - an additional one day's paid leave per year to be taken on or near your birthday.

A generous pension scheme (10% employer and 5% employee contribution).

Free onsite parking.

ABDO membership benefits.

Employee Assistance Programme.

Applications from a wide range of backgrounds are encouraged. We try our utmost to respond to all applications but due to the volume it is not always possible. If you have not heard from us in 14 working days it means your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion - we genuinely appreciate your interest in this role.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: 70,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Company pension On-site parking Work from home
Schedule:

Monday to Friday
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Canterbury CT4 7DT

Application deadline: 18/07/2025
Reference ID: Communications and Engagement Director