Director of development and strategic support jobs in palmers green, greater london

Salary: £46,000 per annum

Location: Harlow Essex. We offer blended working within this role – with a minimum of two days a week in the office or at key stakeholder meetings externally required.

Reports to: Head of Media and PR. 

Direct reports:  PR & Media Executive 

About the role

The Motability Foundation is looking for a confident, driven media and PR professional to join the Communications team and lead our media and PR activity.

This a really exciting time to be joining the Foundation as we embark on our new strategy in 2025. With a recently refreshed new brand, our vision is clear, we want to help disabled people make the journeys they choose. This role will play a crucial part in our work to raise awareness of the work of the Motability Foundation and amplify the voices of disabled people across the media.

This role will take a lead on all media and PR activities. With a strong news sense, you will help develop and execute forward-thinking PR plans and strategies for the organisation, manage our external profile and raise awareness of the work we do, aligned to our vision, and manage our press office, including building strong relationships with journalists.

If you are a proactive and motivated media and PR individual looking for an exciting new challenge within a friendly, flexible, and supportive team, then this could be the role for you! 

What you will be doing

• Implement and manage a comprehensive and proactive PR activity schedule for the Foundation, crafting compelling content to entice journalists and the media to feature and support our work. 
• Act as the main point of contact for all media and press activity. You will oversee the day-to-day running of the Motability Foundation press office, providing an efficient service that makes the most of reactive and proactive media opportunities and builds our reputation with the media. 
• Develop and foster strong relationships with key media outlets in the sector and journalists, broadcasters and editors to secure coverage that helps to influence key decision makers and engage our audiences in our work. 
• Scan effectively for breaking news stories relevant to our areas of work, as well as horizon scanning for potential areas of future coverage.
• Produce press releases, and secure coverage using media, surveys and polls. 
• Working with colleagues in Public Affairs, Policy, Insight and Evaluation and our Transport Solutions Team, take a lead on proactive media activity around our policy, campaigns and research activity.
• You will work closely with our Stories and Content Executive to ensure we have the right stories for use in media work. 
• Scan for areas of reputational risk and support the Head of Media and PR with preparing for and handling reputational risk. 
• Lead on crisis, media enquiries and messaging, implementing the necessary checks and actions to protect the Foundation’s reputation and brand.
• Develop and deliver a briefing and training programme for key spokespeople, developing key messaging and Q&As.
• Analyse and report on media activity for internal teams, external partners and our board, including leading on relevant reports to committees. 
• Manage the press and PR budget. 
• Manage the continuous development of our PR & Media Executive using a mixture of external, internal and on the job training. 

What will make you great in this role?

You will have a strong track record of securing high profile media coverage, ideally for a national charity dealing in disability, health or social issues. You will have a great news sense and the ability to develop strong relationships with journalists to confidently identify stories and make them work for different media outlets. You will have a flair for writing engaging copy, an eye for detail and an unwavering commitment to meeting deadlines. You can work at pace where needed and identify priorities and manage multiple projects. You will be used to briefing and supporting spokespeople to do media interviews and speaking opportunities. 

You will be proactive and a strong team player as this role will need to work closely with colleagues across the communications team and wider organisation. You will be able to take the lead in some areas and lend a hand in others. You will have great people skills and will be comfortable working with people from all walks of life, from your communications colleagues to our case studies to Directors and Board Members.

Your experience

• Expertise in media and PR. 
• A strategic thinker with excellent project management and communication skills. 
• Experience of working with journalists and media outlets, generating and securing strong relevant media coverage. 
• Excellent news sense with extensive experience of producing effective and quick reactive news lines for breaking stories. 
• The ability to develop excellent long-term media and PR strategies to deliver organisational objectives aligned to our vision. 
• Strong judgement and experience of crisis communications. 
• Excellent copy-writing skills and ability to influence. 
• Experience of line management. 
• Experience working in the non-profit or disability sector would be an advantage, but not essential.

Location: Central London - Holborn

Role: Hybrid (minimum 3 days a week in office)

Duration: Full time, Permanent

Salary: £38,000-42,000 per annum, plus benefits

About Beyond Sport

Beyond Sport believes that sport is a powerful catalyst for social change. It inspires individuals and communities alike and bridges the gaps that divide us in ways that transcend social and cultural barriers. We therefore use sport to drive opportunity, equity and community.

As a global foundation, Beyond Sport invests in communities, programs and partnerships that are creating a more progressive world through sport. We create and partner on programs that are promoting collective action on society’s most pressing challenges in addition to providing funding and knowledge-building resources. Beyond Sport is constantly growing and innovating, with values based on ambition, transparency, empathy, accessibility and adaptability. Our team is close-knit and dedicated – both to our work and to supporting each other. We want people to work with us who find this environment exciting and meaningful.

Job Summary

Beyond Sport has an immediate opening for a creative, results-driven storyteller with a passion for developing impactful, integrated marketing campaigns. Reporting to the New York-based Director of Content and Communications, the successful candidate will develop and deliver strategies that promote sport for social change and build audience support and engagement.

The Marketing Manager will collaborate with a cross-functional international team and external partners on compelling campaigns and collateral including social media advertisements, email campaigns, web pages and narrative content as needed. They will also support on special projects, events, fundraising initiatives and applicable program deliverables. This is a hands-on role for someone with long-term vision, an innovative mindset and is skilled at public engagement, education and enhancing brand visibility.

To Apply:

Please upload a copy of your CV and a tailored cover letter, outlining your relevant skills and experience for this position, via the application portal by the 10th of September, 2025. As this is a communications position, applications must include a cover letter to be considered. Please also take note of the salary band and only apply if this is in line with your expectations.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Strategy Development & Campaign Management

• Develop and implement strategic marketing plans and multi-channel campaigns that deliver to Beyond Sport’s organisational and departmental objectives, while increasing brand awareness and deepening audience engagement
• Collaborate with Digital Content Manager and internal staff on content planning, ensuring consistent messaging and branding across platforms.
• Responsible for overall day-to-day campaign management, including market research, audience segmentation, content development and execution and performance reporting
• Develop and implement SEO strategies, manage keyword research, optimise website contents and analyse performance to increase rankings and engagement.
• Oversee Google Ad Grants and Facebook/Meta Business Manager Ad accounts
• Assist with the continuous refinement of our audience personas and engagement workflows to enable quality user experiences
• Lead the creation of brand marketing materials and collateral, ensuring that the foundation has the right mix of assets and channels to successfully advocate for sport for social change
• Oversee the marketing budget and deploy resources efficiently
• Deliver on marketing elements for program partner and sponsor campaigns and initiatives
• Assist Digital Content Manager with bi-monthly e-newsletter as needed to maximize audience reach and engagement

Data & Analytics

• Leverage expertise in market research, consumer insights and data analysis to optimize campaigns, attract and retain subscribers and ensure maximum ROI.
• Implement digital marketing best practices, including audience personas, A/B testing, SEO, SEM, social media, content marketing, etc.
• Track and analyse campaign performance and ROI; adjust KPIs and strategies as necessary to achieve targets
• Convert complex data into understandable reports; present the results to management and partners as needed
• Collaborate with Digital Content Manager on social media strategies to increase daily engagement and grow followers
• Input on most suitable data capture and metrics evaluation strategies

Experience, Skills & Qualifications

• Minimum 4 years of relevant professional experience in marketing and/or communications roles, preferably within the nonprofit sector.
• Experience working internationally or with diverse international stakeholders a plus.
• Excellent knowledge of digital marketing tools and techniques, including social media platforms, email marketing software, post schedulers and web analysis tools
• Be well versed in paid and organic media, content marketing, lead generation, optimization and interpreting data to improve performance
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with a strong attention to detail
• An artistic eye and experience with graphic design, eg. Canva or Adobe Photoshop
• Tech-savvy, keeps up to date with digital media and market trends as well as traditional and emerging technologies
• Experience with budgeting and calculating ROI projections
• Proficiency with CMS and email platforms; familiarity with WordPress, Mailchimp and Zoho CRM a plus.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively, and communicate with a wide range of stakeholders and leadership levels
• Excellent organisational, time management and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to navigate multiple projects, priorities, deadlines and personalities effectively
• A philanthropic and global outlook; an interest in sport and social impact desirable

Benefits

• 22 days annual leave, plus office closure between Christmas and New Year’s Day
• Flexible working arrangements
• Private health insurance plus cash plan
• Health and Wellness Programmes
• 2 Wellness days per year
• Bike to Work Scheme
• Donation to a charity of your choice for your birthday
• Pension contributions
• Platform to advance social change through sport globally

More About Beyond Sport

Beyond Sport values diversity and strives to create a working environment that is inclusive, supportive, respectful and ensures that everyone is heard and valued for their contributions. We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage candidates of all backgrounds and experiences to apply as we welcome and appreciate wide ranging perspectives, ways of thinking and experiences on our team.

Beyond Sport is affiliated with Benchmark, a network of companies united by sport and driven by purpose.