Communications and Public Affairs

About the role

OUTpatients is seeking an experienced and enthusiastic member of staff that can help us to reach people all over the UK.

The Comms and Public Affairs position will play a key role in designing and delivering the charity's communications strategy. This role will work closely with our small but mighty team to ensure that all communication activities are aligned with the OUTpatients' charitable mission. The position involves creating and managing content for various platforms, supporting media relations, and contributing to the overall communication campaigns and public relations efforts.

The role will involve representing and writing on behalf of the charity to stakeholders and media outlets about our mission and current events. We are keen to hear from people with expertise in accessibility and reaching overlooked and minoritised audiences.

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Responsibilities

Communication

•    Maintain a database of media contacts across multiple outlets.

•    Building relationships with key media contacts, in line with organisational and communications strategies.

•    Preparing press releases in relation to our work and responses to developments within the sector.

•    Work with the OUTpatients team, our beneficiaries, external stakeholders and agencies to ensure our work is best represented to a range of audiences

•    Develop content for our e-newsletters, social media channels and website.

•    Drafting reports with the team to communicate our work to the public.

•    Respond to oppositional media and organisations with professionalism at all times.

Leadership

•    Work with the CEO on the charity’s updated communications strategy

•    Lead on the delivery of the communication strategy.

•    Become an expert on our charity and its mission

•    Report on the performance of communication activities using data and insights to inform future communication strategies and activities.

•    Manage the development of campaigns internally and in partnership with external partners.

Charitable mission

•    Expand awareness of the charity in the LGBTIQ+ community.

•    Effectively represent our mission to the general public and press.

•    Identity key stakeholders, organisations, and patrons who can promote our charitable mission.

•    Apply our ethical policies and due diligence tools at all times.

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Person specification

Essential

•    An understanding of integrated communications and the application of communication channels to fundraising.

•    Experience in content creation, social media management, and media relations.

•    Strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills, with the ability to create content for different platforms and audiences.

•    Detail-oriented and organised, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously with a keen eye for detail.

•    Ability to communicate across a range of professional stakeholders at all levels.

•    Understanding of the basic principles of search engine optimisation (SEO).

•    Proficient in website and social media analytics and understands how to adapt our communications in response to these.

•    Manage personal information and data in line with GDPR and to the highest ethical standards.

•    Keen interest in LGBTIQ+ rights and healthcare equity.

Desirable

•    Bachelor’s degree (or similar) in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations, or a related field.

•    Experience of leading public affairs delivery of a cross sector, multi stakeholder programme.

•    Desk research and analysis skills, summarising findings clearly to a range of audiences.

•    Proficiency in graphic design tools (Designer and Publisher software).

•    Experience with drafting briefings, reports, and policy submissions.