Head of Media Relations
Upto £55,000 per annum
Homebased with easy access to our Newark Office
Full time: 35 hours per week
Permanent contract
This role is predominantly home-based with regular travel to locations across the UK. Office facilities are available at our Newark office (Tuesdays to Thursdays) for those within easy travelling distance. There is a requirement to attend in-person the monthly team meeting at the Newark office.
Closing date for applications: 31st May 2026
First interview: 15th June 2026 (In person at Newark office)
Second interview: 26th June 2026 (Online)
About Us:
The Wildlife Trusts are a grassroots movement of people from a wide range of backgrounds and all walks of life, who believe that we need nature and nature needs us. We have more than 945,000 members, over 33,000 volunteers, 4,100 staff and 600 trustees. There are 46 individual Wildlife Trusts, each of which is a place-based independent charity with its own legal identity, formed by groups of people getting together and working with others to make a positive difference to wildlife and future generations, starting where they live and work.
Every Wildlife Trust is part of The Wildlife Trusts federation and a corporate member of the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts, a registered charity in its own right founded in 1912 and one of the founding members of IUCN – the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. Taken together this federation of 47 charities is known as The Wildlife Trusts.
The next few years will be critical in determining what kind of world we all live in. We need to urgently reverse the loss of wildlife and put nature into recovery at scale if we are to prevent climate and ecological disaster. We recognise that this will require big, bold changes in the way The Wildlife Trusts work, not least in how we mobilise others and support them to organise within their own communities
About You
Can you use your expertise in shaping powerful media narratives to help drive nature’s recovery with one of the UK’s best-loved environmental charities? The Wildlife Trusts’ experienced Media team plays a vital role in shaping the public conversation about nature.
We create compelling, authoritative stories for broadcast, print and online national media outlets and generate billions of opportunities each year for people to see, hear and read about The Wildlife Trusts’ important work to restore wildlife and reconnect people with nature. Our work spans a wide and ambitious agenda. We respond to and comment on Government policy, we champion bold solutions for nature’s recovery, and we spotlight the impact of our work across issues as varied as peatland restoration, nature for mental health, and whale and dolphin conservation. Through interviews, opinion pieces, press releases, video content and expert commentary, we regularly appear on flagship programmes including BBC Countryfile, Springwatch, ITV News and BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, as well as international media.
Our high-profile coverage ensures that The Wildlife Trusts remain at the heart of the national conversation about the urgent need to tackle the nature and climate crises. Our work continues to grow and adapt. The scale and pace of the challenges facing our wildlife demand even greater ambition, clarity and leadership in how we communicate. We are now seeking a strategic and operationally experienced Head of Media Relations to lead the next phase of our media work – who can continue to strengthen our national profile in the media, identifying new opportunities for The Wildlife Trusts, and ensuring our message continues to cut through to drive awareness and meaningful action.
You are an experienced and credible media professional with a track record of leading and supporting high-performing teams in a fast paced, high-profile environment.
You will have demonstrable expert knowledge of the media landscape, with a wide network of trusted media relationships that you use thoughtfully and effectively to achieve impact. You are equally confident developing and placing softer news stories as you are managing complex or high-stakes situations, exercising sound judgement and acting decisively when it matters most.
You will have substantial experience of reputation management, including advising senior leaders and stakeholders on sensitive or contentious issues. An understanding of the issues affecting UK wildlife and nature recovery is highly desirable, alongside a commitment to using the power of media to inform, engage and drive positive change
Kennedy Memorial Trust is seeking a junior Administrator who can playing a key role in supporting one of the UK’s most prestigious international scholarship programmes. This role is offered on a full-or part time basis, based predominantly from home with travel to London on an occasional monthly basis.
Reporting to: Director of the Kennedy Memorial Trust (KMT)
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Part-time or Full-time, 30 - 37.5 hours per week (flexibility in hours and working pattern available)
Salary: £26,000 - £28,000 FTE
Location: Work from home with monthly travel to London and occasional event attendance.
Applicants must have the right to live and work permanently in the UK. The Trust cannot offer visa sponsorship.
________________________________________
About the Kennedy Memorial Trust
The Kennedy Memorial Trust is a registered charity (No. 234715) that funds exceptional UK graduates to pursue postgraduate study at Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Established as a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy following his assassination, the Trust has supported around 600 Kennedy Scholars since 1966.
In addition to administering one of the UK’s most prestigious international scholarship programmes, the Trust maintains the Kennedy Memorial at Runnymede, Surrey. The Trust is governed by a Board of up to eleven Trustees appointed by the UK Prime Minister, the Presidents of Harvard and MIT, or the President of the United States.
Kennedy Scholars go on to make significant contributions across public service, law, science, technology, education, business, charities, the arts and media.
________________________________________
The Role
This Administrator role is an exciting opportunity for a self-starter to play a central role in supporting the running of one of the UK’s most prestigious international scholarship programmes. The Administrator will help provide an excellent experience for applicants, Scholars, alumni, Trustees and partner institutions.
The Administrator role with support on the full scholarship cycle which includes providing high quality administrative support to the Director, Scholars and other stakeholders. The Administrator will support on keeping accurate financial and data records, governance, communications, event planning and alumni engagement activities as required.
The role requires someone who has demonstrable experience of providing Administration support, has excellent written skills, can use their discretion, has good attention to detail as well as possessing strong interpersonal skills.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Scholarship Administration and Selection
Administer the scholarship application process and selection cycle, including its promotion, application timelines and manage applicant enquiries. Respond promptly and professionally to applicant enquiries via email, phone and online channels.
Prepare longlists and shortlists in consultation with the Director. Provide administrative support to the selection panels, including scheduling scholar interviews and preparing interview packs, briefing papers and secure document folders for panel members.
Work with the Director to communicate selection outcomes professionally and sensitively to applicants.
Support safeguarding, compliance and due diligence processes relating to applicants and Scholars. Maintain accurate records of applicant demographics, progress, decisions and feedback.
2. Scholar Support and Engagement
Arrange onboarding for new Scholars, including orientation materials, pre departure meetings, events and information sessions. Maintain FAQs and administrative briefings.
Maintain up-to-date Scholar profiles, biographies and photos for the Trust’s website, social media and publications.
Facilitate community‑building among current Scholars through sharing news, arranging check‑ins, online meet‑ups and occasional social or academic gatherings.
Contribute to the Trust’s pastoral and administrative support of Scholars throughout their studies in the US. Monitor Scholar engagement, academic progress and wellbeing, escalating concerns where appropriate.
3. Financial Administration and Reporting
Prepare documentation for tuition payments, stipends and approved expenses; maintain timely and accurate payment schedules.
Provide administrative support to the Director regarding statutory reporting including the Annual Report and Charity Commission returns
4. Communications, Outreach and Marketing
Draft, edit and publish web content, including scholarship information, news updates, Scholar profiles and stories and application guidance. Maintain FAQ pages and ensure accurate, clear and up to date information for applicants.
Support digital communications, including social media posts, email campaigns and website announcements to highlight Scholar achievements and alumni successes. Maintain a database or scholar profiles which are published on the website.
Represent the Trust at events such as graduate fairs, widening participation meetings and university visits.
Maintain a database of UK Universities and partner organisations who support the Trust to reach the widest possible audience for promoting the scholarship. Build relationships with UK universities, careers teams and relevant networks to promote the scholarship.
5. Governance and Committee Support
You will work with the Director to provide the scheduling, servicing and administration of Trustee meetings, scholarship panels and standing committees, including the preparation of meeting agendas, briefing materials, papers and securely held meeting papers.
Draft accurate minutes of meetings and keep track of deadlines of actions.
Maintain governance records, committee membership lists and document archives. Support working groups and sub committees, including document preparation and follow up tasks.
Support the Director with the ongoing review and development of policies and procedures to ensure they are fit for purpose.
6. Executive admin and other functions
You will work with the Director on executive and administrative support, including diary management, correspondence, travel and expenses
Undertake other reasonable duties in support of the Trust’s work
Maintain accurate records in all internal systems, ensuring high data quality standards.
________________________________________
SKILLS, EXPERIENCE AND BEHAVIOURS
Essential
· Proven administrative and organisational experience in any sector
· Demonstrable high level written skills
· High level of office software ability
· During interpersonal skills
· High level of accuracy, numeracy and attention to detail
· Able to demonstrate experience of managing competing priorities and meeting deadlines
· An interest in the work of the Kennedy Memorial Trust
Desirable
• Minimum of a B grade in A level English or a Degree
• Experience in scholarship administration, or student support
· ` Experience editing or creating web content
• Knowledge of higher education and current affairs
________________________________________
Personal Attributes
• Highly organised and self motivated
• Warm, professional manner with a willingness to learn
• Sound judgement and discretion when handling confidential information
• Empathic and able to be self-confident when working with scholars and the team
• Proactive, flexible and comfortable working in a small team
• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
• Willingness to invest in ongoing professional development
________________________________________
HOW TO APPLY
Please submit:
• A CV
• A covering letter with a supporting statement (maximum 2 pages) outlining how you meet the role criteria and what you feel you could bring to the Kennedy Memorial Trust
Application deadline: midnight 25th May 2026
A Basic DBS check will be required for the successful candidate.
Please submit:
• A CV
• A covering letter with a supporting statement (maximum 2 pages) outlining how you meet the role criteria and what you feel you could bring to the Kennedy Memorial Trust
Application deadline: midnight 25th May 2026
A Basic DBS check will be required for the successful candidate.
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.
The Global Advocacy & Influence Department is a dynamic team that uses the power of IRC’s ideas to solve the biggest challenges facing IRC’s clients. From the drivers of conflict to the needs displaced people, the team partners with politicians, policy makers and civil society to bring these solutions to life. We take pride in being solutions-oriented and creative. We are precise in our tactics, and messages. We lead change year over year, knowing that system change takes dedicated focus while maintaining the flexibility to respond to emerging needs. Finally, we are collaborative, working not only with programs, strategy, research and innovation, and communications teams across the IRC, but also externally, constantly seeking to new ideas and perspectives from others in the humanitarian sector and beyond.
The IRC is committed to a culture of bold leadership, innovation in all aspects of our work, creative partnerships and, most crucially, accountability to those we serve. The IRC is a tireless advocate for the most vulnerable.
IRC UK
IRC UK is part of the IRC global network, which has its global headquarters in New York. Our team in the UK works to raise profile, deliver policy and practice change, and increase funding to help restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Since 2021, IRC UK has also provided integration services directly to refugees in England.
In Europe, the IRC also has offices in Berlin, Bonn, Brussels, Geneva and Stockholm.
Job Overview
As the Advocacy Officer, you are responsible for building the profile, influence and credibility of IRC’s work with UK politicians, political parties and opinion formers on our humanitarian and development issues. You will be delivering our influence strategies and identifying strategic lobbying opportunities and enabling colleagues to exploit them fully through the use of innovative and creative tactics that help IRC stand out in a crowded arena. You will support building critical strategic relationships to help deliver on IRC’s objectives in parliament. You will contribute fresh insights and analysis to inform IRC’s influence approaches, tactics, and messages.
Major Responsibilities:
-
Advocacy Strategy: Support in delivering advocacy strategies, collaborating with the Advocacy Manager, policy leads, public advocacy and communications colleagues, to advance IRC’s key advocacy objectives.
- Political and policy monitoring: Analyse and report on relevant political and policy trends and regularly communicate across external relations teams.Expand IRC’s political reach by tracking and analysing shifting government positions, individuals engaging on our issues, and the politics around our issues. Track political processes and profile opportunities / events; including bills, select committee inquiries, and other parliamentary and political developments.
- Stakeholder management: Building and maintaining relationships with a core group of political champions in and around Westminster, whilst raising IRC’s profile and awareness of our positions on key issues among a wider political audience in order to increase our ability to deliver policy change.
- Political engagement: Developing and providing regular written or oral briefings to MPs, Peers, government officials, and other decision makers on key policies and campaigns. Producing specific asks to parliamentarians on a regular basis – parliamentary questions, debate contributions etc.
- Communications: Provide market and audience expertise to communications team to craft public advocacy in the UK. Support team in developing communications strategy and develop materials for advocacy targets, including digital/social content and take actions.
- Teamwork: Support a positive team culture by acting openly and collaboratively, supporting colleagues in their work and sharing credit with others where appropriate.
- Steward Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: both in the culture of IRC, as well as in the policy solutions we develop and the ways we wield influence.
Key Working Relationships:
Position reports to: Advocacy Manager
Internal contacts: Policy and Advocacy colleagues, Communications, Technical Excellence leads; International Programs leads, External Relations Department
External contacts: Parliamentarians, government officials, key opinion formers, think tanks and sector colleagues in the UK.
Job Requirements:
Work experience:
- Experience in delivering advocacy strategies in the UK. 2 years + of experience working on development and humanitarian issues.
Demonstrated skills and competencies:
- Proven success in delivering successful strategies that influence/impact on legislative and executive policy.
- Good understanding of relevant the UK’s political structures and processes, and familiar with leverage points within these institutions that can be targeted to achieve policy change objectives.
- Ability to innovatively and creatively apply influencing techniques and tactics to consistently make IRC stand out from the crowd in Westminster, Whitehall and with other key international stakeholders.
- Knowledge of development and humanitarian issues in the UK.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate successfully with parliamentarians and colleagues in the humanitarian and development fields.
- Strong writing skills and the ability to translate sophisticated material and data into coherent narratives that resonate with policymakers.
- Experience of developing effective working relationships with colleagues, and working collaboratively in multi-disciplinary project teams.
- Ability to work quickly against deadlines.
- Initiative and ability to work independently on fast-paced issues, and balance competing demands.
The mission of the IRC is to help people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster.


