Head of brand and creative jobs in Brent, northamptonshire

This is an exciting opportunity to shape engaging campaigns and storytelling across digital, social media, email, PR and community channels. Working as part of our Fundraising and Communications team, you’ll create compelling and accessible communications that inspire action, strengthen our community, support fundraising and help people live full and healthy lives with MS.

Working closely with colleagues, ambassadors and people living with MS, you’ll help amplify authentic lived experience, develop impactful campaigns and use insight and digital best practice to grow engagement and reach.

We’re looking for someone with strong writing and storytelling skills, experience delivering communications, marketing or digital campaigns, and a good understanding of digital engagement, social media and email marketing. Most importantly, we’re looking for someone who is collaborative, proactive and motivated by making a meaningful difference.

About Overcoming MS

Overcoming MS is the world’s leading MS healthy lifestyle charity. We help people live full and healthy lives with MS through evidence-based information, practical tools and a supportive global community.

Since 2012, we have supported people affected by MS to make informed lifestyle choices alongside medical treatment, helping people feel more empowered, informed and hopeful about living with MS.

Our vision is a world where everyone with MS has the information, confidence and support they need to live well.

Job summary

The Communications and Marketing Manager plays a central role in helping Overcoming MS reach and support more people living with multiple sclerosis worldwide. The role leads the creation of compelling, evidence-based, and emotionally engaging communications that strengthen connections with our community, raise awareness of the Overcoming MS approach, support fundraising, engagement, and behaviour change, and showcase our services and offerings. 

Working across communications channels, campaigns, storytelling and community engagement, the postholder will enable our audiences to feel they have the appropriate level of information and confidence to make lifestyle changes, through the support we offer to live a full and healthy life with MS. 

Key responsibilities and duties: 
The role comprises the following key areas of responsibility: 

Communication and campaign creation 

• Craft engaging, accessible and audience-focused communications which inspire action, deepen engagement and build trust. 

• Plan and execute integrated marketing and communications campaigns across digital channels, print, PR and Community channels in alignment with our Fundraising and Communications Strategy.

• Support the Head of Communications, Marketing & Digital with campaign planning, aligning Communications objectives to organisational and income generation objectives. 

• Support the Services team with the promotion of our services, including the dissemination of insights and data, to grow our awareness and engagement 

• Support colleagues and audiences. Working with stakeholders to ensure communications are planned and delivered at the right time to meet their needs.

• Ability to communicate complex or sensitive information in a clear, accessible and empathetic way. 

• Understanding of inclusive and accessible communications best practice. 

Using results to drive change 

• Use audience insight, analytics and user behaviour to shape campaigns and improve engagement. 

• Test, learn and optimise marcomms communications through experimentation, AB testing and evaluation. 

• Contribute to Marcomms evaluation on performance and impact. 

Storytelling and Community voices  

• Build trusted relationships with people living with MS and the wider Overcoming MS community to develop authentic and inspiring stories. 

• Support contributors sensitively and ethically, ensuring appropriate consent and safeguarding processes are followed. 

• Identify opportunities to amplify community voices across campaigns, fundraising and communications. 

• Ensure storytelling reflects the diversity and inclusivity of the Overcoming MS community. 

Social media and content creation 

• Lead on building our impact and engagement on social media with our audiences, in line with our objectives, including supporting awareness and engagement campaigns and fundraising. 

• Ensure that we are using the best tools and techniques by staying up to date with trends. 

• Monitor social media, ensuring prompt and accurate responses to enquiries. 

• Use analytics to constantly optimise our social media impact. 

• Ensure content is accessible, audience-led and aligned with best practice in health communication. 

• Support content development across both digital and print communications where required. 

• Working closely with the services team, lead the content creation and maintenance of our website to maximise our impact with audiences. 

• Build and nurture relationships with celebrity ambassadors, influencers and public supporters. 

Email marketing 

• Develop content for email marketing, including for fundraising and events campaigns. 

• Optimise email by A/B testing content to maximise performance through design and content improvements, and creating triggered email sequences to build our message. 

• Use audience segmentation and personalisation to support campaigns. 

• Use analytics to identify ways to constantly optimise our email impact. 

Community Engagement 

• Support our digital community through different discussion groups and platforms (social media, hubs, etc). Including liaising with internal teams and promoting best practice. 

• Support online events and drive positive engagement opportunities.

Brand communication 

• Ensuring all activity aligns with brand priorities. 

• Championing on-brand messaging. Acting as a trusted expert on brand tone of voice.  

• Ensuring all media and communications guidelines/policies are followed and kept updated. 

• Sharing best practice with the wider organisation and continuing professional development.

Creative skills 

• Generate and develop creative and innovative ideas with a good eye for brand, design, film and photography.

• Develop clear briefs and oversee production of high-quality digital and printed communications materials. 

• Create engaging collateral through design software.

• Edit small amounts of audio or video (desirable). 

• Support content development across both digital and print communications where required. 

PR and Media 

• Support the Head of Communications, Marketing and Digital with media relations through press releases and statements. 

• Support with securing regional, national and international media coverage, sourcing case studies and creating campaign assets and messaging for media partners. 

 
PERSON SPECIFICATION 

• Self-motivated and adaptable/proactive, with strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities effectively

• A keen eye for detail with a consistently high quality of work output.

• Highly organised, able to manage a content schedule, and plan and deliver digital campaigns. Able to prioritise work across multiple projects to meet deadlines.

• Demonstrable experience in developing, leading and executing high-quality, effective communications and engagement strategies that achieve desired results.

• Excellent writing, editing and communication skills for social media, web, email and PR.

• An understanding of how communications affect and engage audiences.

• An ability to communicate in an inclusive way with diverse audiences.

• Experience in managing and optimising website content, with strong on-page SEO skills.

• Confident using email marketing and social scheduling

• Familiarity with Google tools (Analytics, Adwords, Search Console, etc) and digital monitoring tools. 

• Skills in creative content development, such as audio, video and photo editing. 

• Interest in wellbeing 

• Experience managing external suppliers, freelancers or creative agencies (desirable) 

• Experience working in the charity, health or wellbeing sector. (desirable) 

• Able to flex hours and work outside normal hours where needed to cover events (time off in lieu will be provided). 

 
This job description outlines the main responsibilities of the role, but is not intended to be an exhaustive list. Duties may evolve over time, and the post-holder may be required to undertake other reasonable tasks consistent with the level of the role. 

How to apply: Please click on the Apply Now button, submit your CV, and please answer the three questions we have prepared for you. Please use the Cover Letter space to tell us your motivation for working  at Overcoming MS.

Application timeline:

Close date: until 9am Monday 15th June

First round interviews: 18th and 19th June, online via Microsoft Teams

Second round interviews: 23rd June on Teams/in person TBC, and it will include a short task and presentation

Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion: We want Overcoming MS to be a welcoming, inclusive and supportive place to work, where people feel valued and able to thrive. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences and communities, particularly those currently underrepresented in the charity sector.

We know that people sometimes hesitate to apply unless they meet every requirement listed. If this role feels like a good fit for you, we’d still encourage you to apply.

If you need reasonable adjustments or information in a different format during the recruitment process, please contact us.