Press and social media officer jobs

Job Title: Senior Communications Officer

Reports to: Communications Manager

Line reports: None

Contract terms: Full time

Salary: £39,629

Location: London-based, with hybrid working

The Royal College of Ophthalmologists is a membership organisation and the voice of the profession, with 4,500 members in the UK and overseas. Our role is to champion the specialty, set standards of training and practice, and influence change to make a difference to the lives of patients with eye conditions.

Job purpose

Part of the Policy & Engagement department, the Senior Communications Officer is responsible for devising and supporting strategic communication initiatives that elevate the College’s visibility, advocate for the importance of sustainable ophthalmology services, spotlight our work and values, and promote membership. Working with colleagues, members and external partners, you will craft, execute and evaluate multichannel campaigns, secure profile-raising media coverage, and create engaging content for all our communications channels.

Main responsibilities

Strategic communication planning

• Plan, deliver and evaluate multichannel communications campaigns and plans – working with colleagues across the College to identify objectives, target audiences and key messaging.
• Contribute to developing and implementing communications strategies to increase the College’s profile, promote its work and the importance of ophthalmology, and support membership recruitment and retention.

Content development and management

• Contribute to developing, delivering and evaluating the performance of our content strategy and organisation-wide annual content plan.
• Work with all College departments to develop promotional materials, and to identify and gather content, stories and information for sharing across College media.
• Produce engaging, and accessible content for the College’s member magazine, social media accounts, website and e-newsletters.
• Copyedit, proofread and format publications, and manage the production of printed materials, including liaising with printers, designers, and other external suppliers.
• Help keep the College’s photo library up-to-date, and work with colleagues to commission photographs.

Media relations

• Identify new and nurture existing relationships with editors, journalists, commentators and producers, expanding and updating our contact list.
• Develop and implement a schedule of strategic media engagement, identifying new opportunities upon which the College should capitalise.
• Handle day-to-day proactive and reactive media relations, including acting as the first point of contact for media enquiries; writing and pitching comments, press releases, quotes, and op-eds; arranging interviews; and working with international, national and local media.
• Record, monitor and report on the College’s media activities, coverage and performance.
• Work with the Communications Manager to brief and commission training for College spokespeople.
• Work with colleagues to keep our media lines on priority policy issues up to date.

 Digital communications

• Co-plan, produce and distribute targeted and segmented e-newsletters.
• Develop and implement a social media schedule that is aligned with organisational and departmental objectives, capitalises on external opportunities, reflects the latest trends and best practice, and delivers regular, timely and targeted posts.
• Manage the College’s social media channels day-to-day, producing topical and relevant content, and monitoring and responding to comments and messages.
• Support the Communications Manager in maintaining and managing the College website, including inputting to reviews and our ongoing redevelopment project and content audit.
• Support and train colleagues in using our content management system (CMS).
• Monitor and report on the College’s digital performance monthly.

Brand management

• Uphold the College’s brand identity and messaging across all materials and platforms.
• Help champion and ensure compliance with the College’s brand and style guidelines.
• Support the department in averting and handling communications crises as needed.

 Other

• Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the College
•  Working outside normal hours and/or overnight stays may be necessary to support the delivery of key organisational events.

Inclusion and diversity statement 

The College is committed to encouraging inclusion, equity and diversity among our staff, and eliminating unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation by complying with the Equality Act 2010. We want a working environment where individual differences and the contributions of all staff are recognised and valued. To do this, we will proactively tackle discrimination and disadvantage and ensure that no individual or group is directly or indirectly discriminated against for any reason. We expect all employees to champion and live our values through their work at every opportunity.  

Our values 

Inclusion

• actively welcoming a diversity of experiences and perspectives
• everyone being respected and encouraged to participate regardless of their background or role

Integrity

• being open and honest, demonstrating accountability in all its work
• evidenced-based and transparent decision-making, utilising a range of data, information, expertise and experience

Innovation

• creating novel opportunities to advance and deliver on its aims, anticipating changing circumstances
• actively welcoming fresh ideas and approaches
• fostering a climate of ambition and excellence drawing on expertise from across the College’s communities

Improvement

• being a learning organisation, reflecting on both successes and mistakes
• continuous and sustainable development across all its activities

Person specification

Knowledge, qualifications and experience

• Demonstrable expertise in strategic/corporate communications, with a professional qualification or evidence of learning in communications, public relations, journalism or marketing
• At least three years’ experience of working in a busy communications team, press office or newsroom
• Experience of devising, implementing and evaluating multichannel communications strategies and/or campaigns
• Experience of writing materials for a range of audiences, including blogs, magazine/news articles, newsletters, social media posts and website copy
• Experience of commissioning, editing, and proof-reading copy, ensuring adherence to brand and style guidelines
• Working knowledge of the media and experience of fielding enquiries, and developing briefings and press releases
• Experience of using CMS, website analytics, social media monitoring and scheduling tools, and e-newsletter software
• Knowledge of best practice and emerging trends in digital and social media
• Working knowledge of IT systems – including Microsoft Office, CRMs, and digital asset management tools

Skills and abilities

• Strong strategic planning, prioritisation and organisational skills
• Excellent communications and editorial skills, with an outstanding command of written English and an exceptional attention to detail
• Strong analytical skills to evaluate impact and identify opportunities for improvement
• Search engine optimisation writing and editing skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to build positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including the media
• Ability to generate new ideas, take initiative and problem solve
• Adaptability and an ability to work well under pressure and manage often conflicting demands within tight timeframes

Personal qualities (attributes)

• Commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and understanding of how this applies to own area of work
• Commitment to own continuing professional development
• Demonstrates a positive ‘can do’ attitude

Staff benefits

We offer a friendly and supportive working environment and make sure our employees are well looked after with a great benefits package, which includes:

Work life balance and family friendly benefits

• Hybrid working
• 25 days of annual leave, increasing to 30 days with length of service (plus bank holidays and office closure between Xmas and New Year)
• One day of paid leave to move house
• Enhanced parental leave

Planning for your future

• Employer pension contributions up to a maximum of 12%.

Career development

• All staff are offered opportunities for learning and development, in addition to a comprehensive e-learning package
• Study loans

Travel

• Season ticket loan
• Cycle to work scheme

Wellbeing

• Health cash plan
• Summer Fridays (staff can finish 90 minutes early from mid July to the end of August)
• Enhanced Employee Assistance Programme (with access to free counselling sessions)

Please submit your CV (maximum two pages) and a covering letter (maximum one page). 

The cover letter must explain what makes you suitable for the role. Please use the job description for reference.

Interviews will be held at our office in Euston, the week commencing 18 August 2025. Please indicate if you are likely to need any reasonable adjustments to successfully complete this interview.

Applicants must already have the right to work within the UK without restriction. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

The closing date for applications is 11 August 2025.

Background
Bipolar UK’s mission is to build a better world together for everyone affected by bipolar; this includes both people living with the condition and their close friends, colleagues and family. To achieve this ambition we need to speed up diagnosis rates and ensure everyone with bipolar has the appropriate care and treatment they deserve. This includes peer support, self-management advice and research – which the charity itself provides and supports. Over the last four years Bipolar UK’s communication and policy function has grown substantially, with a dramatic increase in press coverage and steady growth in digital engagement and advocacy. It has a well developed tone of voice and will be launching a new brand profile alongside the website. The postholder will inherit a talented and growing team with four direct line reports and a wider team of skilled and engaged contractors.
 

Role purpose

You will be a seasoned communications leader with the skills and experience of overseeing a modern, efficient and dynamic communication function to achieve tangible outcomes for people affected by bipolar. The post holder will play a pivotal role in growing Bipolar UK’s brand awareness, contributing to the wider goal of achieving a £3m+ annual turnover so we can provide peer support to even more people affected by bipolar. In autumn 2025 Bipolar UK will be hitting two major milestones, launching both a new website and a high-profile campaign: ‘Could it be bipolar?’ to speed up diagnosis from the average 9.5 years it currently takes. You will be responsible for leading these projects in 2026 and beyond.

Specific Responsibilities

Overall:

• Lead the charity’s external communications, brand, and public-facing resources.
• Manage and support delivery of the charity’s external communications and marketing strategy to increase engagement with existing and new audiences and continue to improve the charity’s profile.
• Line manage and support our Senior Communications Officer, Senior Marketing Officer, Senior Website Officer and Senior Public Policy Officer.
• Develop engaging marketing campaigns to promote awareness, advocacy and services that remain true to the lived experience of bipolar.
• Oversee the Department’s budget alongside the Finance Manager.

Digital

• Lead and develop a compelling digital engagement and marketing strategy.
• Oversee the day-to-day management of our digital channels, including website, media, email marketing and social media.
• Work closely with the Head of Digital Transformation to ensure first-class digital practice.
• Lead engagement of the bipolar community through an engaging webinar, in-person events and conference programme,  which includes managing the charity’s flagship annual World Bipolar Day conference.
• Work with the CEO to develop and implement an effective charity-wide lead generation strategy.
• Work with the Directors of Fundraising and Research to develop engaging and effective campaigns that raise crucial funds and recruit research participants.
• Undertake social listening to ensure people living with bipolar are heard and have their voices amplified.

Press

• Lead the charity’s proactive and reactive press engagement to maximise the charity’s reputation and brand awareness.
• Manage the relationship with our PR agency, Sway PR, and our creative agency, Lark.
• Oversee a bank of over 150 media volunteers and high-profile Ambassadors.
• Implement the Crisis Communications Policy as and when necessary.

Policy

• Support the CEO and Senior Public Policy Officer to develop and implement an effective public affairs strategy to promote Bipolar UK public policy positions and campaigns.

The post holder will be expected to:

• Understand Protection, Health and Safety at Work, and Equality and Diversity legislation, and adhere to policies, procedures, and best practice at all times.
• Work collaboratively with other staff to deliver these responsibilities and agreed objectivesto tight deadlines.
• Be independently mobile, as travel will be required to meetings, alongside monthly trips to our London Office.
• Some evening and weekend work may be required.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties as deemed necessary by their Line Manager, Bipolar UK’s Chief Executive Officer.

In the interest of effective working the major tasks may be reviewed from time to time to reflect changing organisational needs. Any consequential changes will be carried out in consultation with the post holder.

Are you an experienced senior manager with a passion for community facilities and strategic leadership? Jubilee Pool is seeking a dynamic Chief Operations Officer to lead our day to day operations, drive business development initiatives, and deliver major funded projects and strategic initiatives.

About Us

Jubilee Pool is a community owned social enterprise operating an iconic 1935 sea water lido. Our stunning coastal facility welcomes thousands of visitors each season to enjoy swimming, wellness activities, and our café with panoramic views across Mount's Bay.

The Role

As COO, you'll provide operational leadership for this unique facility, managing our talented team whilst ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations. You'll work closely with our Directors and Senior Management Team to deliver organisational objectives, restore long term financial sustainability, and lead the development of our new 5 year strategic plan.

Key responsibilities include:

• Operational and financial leadership of the facility
• Leading the development and delivery of major funded projects and strategic initiatives
• Strategic budget management and financial planning across all activities
• Health and safety compliance as designated Responsible Person
• Partnership development with local stakeholders, funders and healthcare providers
• Marketing and communications strategy implementation
• Staff performance management and development
• Grant funding and income generation initiatives
• Board liaison and strategic reporting
• Multi stakeholder project coordination with external partners

We're looking for someone with:

• Minimum 5 years' senior management experience in community facilities, leisure or hospitality
• Accountancy or financial management qualification
• Health and Safety qualification (IOSH, COSHH, or NEBOSH)
• Strong project management capabilities including strategic initiatives
• Experience with Community Benefit Societies, charities, or CICs
• Strong analytical and communication skills
• Strategic thinking combined with hands-on operational capability
• Commitment to charitable objectives and community benefit

Join us in preserving this iconic Cornish landmark whilst delivering exceptional community benefit and leading exciting strategic developments. If you're ready to make a real difference in a unique and rewarding environment, we'd love to hear from you.

Visit the careers page on our website for the full Job Description.

We have an opportunity for a Press Officer to join our Communications Team in Basingstoke.

This is a full time permanent role where you'll have a mix of home and office working.

The starting salary is £46,000 - £56,000 depending on experience.

The Role:

As a Press Officer at SNG you'll be managing the organisation's press office activities. This is a crucial role where you'll be leading on national and regional media campaigns and issues, to raise our profile and ultimately support us to build more affordable homes and provide an excellent service to our customers.

You will be responsible for managing our reputation in the media and minimising negative coverage, as well as managing relationships with journalists and senior stakeholders within the business.

You'll build SNG's reputation by developing high-profile relationships and telling great stories, creating content for national, local and online media to help SNG to achieve its business and social objectives.

This is a fast paced role where you'll be managing multiple priorities, and you'll be supported by a friendly and dedicated team. There will be some out of hours working required in this role.

What we need from you:

Previous experience as a Press Officer. We are open to different backgrounds and sectors but a knowledge of housing associations or adjacent sectors, such as development, would be an advantage. 

The ability to work with media outlets and create content in collaboration with colleagues that protects SNG's reputation. 

We are looking for:

• A proactive approach to working with colleagues to find the organisation's best stories
• Experience in successfully crafting compelling and newsworthy press releases that attract media attention
• Strong experience of crisis management and responding appropriately to protect the company's reputation
• The ability to build positive relationships with colleagues and media outlets
• Strong copywriting skills and the ability to edit and proofread content to ensure clarity, accuracy and consistency
• The ability to work under pressure and as part of a team

What we can offer you:

As a member of the Communications Team you'll be part of a friendly, active and dynamic working environment. 

We invest in our people, and you will be able to develop your skills and be part of something that makes a real difference to people's lives. This role can give you the opportunity for a career within a successful and diverse organisation.

Some of our benefits include:
•    £450 yearly flexible benefit pot to use against benefits of your choice
•    Flexible working
•    25 Days Holiday + Bank Holidays (with an extra day every year up to 30 days)
•    A chance to buy or sell holiday as part of our flexible benefits package
•    A generous pension scheme matching up to 12%
•    Life cover as soon as you join us
•    You will be a part of our Recognition scheme 
•    A range of wellbeing discounts including Gym Memberships
 
About us:

It's an exciting time to be a part of the team as Sovereign have joined forces with Network Homes to form SNG (Sovereign Network Group). Together we provide over 84,000 homes and invest in communities across London and the South of England. Our purpose is to provide good affordable homes in thriving communities that people love for generations.

We invest for the long term, in individual homes, our customers and work with partners to make a lasting difference to our neighbourhoods. Sovereign Network Group's financial strength enables us to meet housing needs, regenerate places and build on the existing strengths in our communities.

We are committed to our Equality Diversity and Inclusion strategy and believe that you can truly be yourself at SNG. Take a look at our careers site to learn.

The role: We’re looking for an energetic and creative communications and marketing officer to join the team at Brake, delivering compelling digital marketing and comms campaigns that generate headlines, grow our audience, drive consistent and meaningful engagement, and generate income.

Working at the heart of a small and busy communications team, you will play an instrumental role in shaping and enhancing our digital presence.

With strong digital marketing skills and a desire to make a difference, you will nurture Brake’s social media channels – interacting with our audiences and creating eye-catching and engaging content that raises awareness of the difference we make and encourages people to support our work. 

You will also support on PR and media work, supporting the team to promote Brake’s work via media outlets and manage our media database. You’ll respond to media enquiries and arrange interviews for our campaigns team, helping secure coverage that supports our strategic objectives and leads to meaningful engagement.

About Brake: Brake is a renowned and respected road safety charity with a 30-year history dedicated to supporting people affected by road crashes and advocating for safer streets.

Why this role is important: Every 20 minutes, someone is killed or seriously injured on UK roads. For families affected, the emotional and practical challenges are immense. Brake provides trauma-informed care to individuals and families suffering from the sudden bereavement or life-altering injury of a loved one and campaigns tirelessly for positive change to prevent future collisions and save lives. This role will play a vital part in raising the profile of our work and effecting positive change for a safer future on our roads.

What we offer:

-  A generous 35 days of annual leave (including bank holidays and 3-day end of year shutdown)

-  Birthday day off

-  Flexible working (choose a working pattern to suit you between the hours of 8am-6pm Mon-Fri)

- Enhanced sick pay and compassionate leave

- Death in service benefit

- Pension

- Employee Assistance Programme

- A rewarding role with purpose

- Be part of a skilled, friendly team with an engaged Board of Trustees

- Opportunity to attend prestigious events such as the Brake annual reception and awards (if you want to)

Who we're looking for:

You will have at least one year of experience working in digital marketing, ideally within the UK charity sector. You will also have great organisational skills, a genuine desire to make a difference and the ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment.

Essential Requirements:

· Minimum one year experience working in a communications and marketing role within a charity setting, or equivalent, with a proven track record of driving audience growth and engagement.

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience creating content for varied audiences across different digital platforms.

· Good organisational skills with the ability to manage a varied workload, working on multiple projects.

· Ability to work both independently and in a team, with a positive, problem-solving approach.

· Comfortable using CRM systems and digital tools (e.g. Hootsuite, Mailchimp, Donorfy) 

· Experience using analytics tools (Google Analytics, social platform insights) 

· Strong attention to details especially in writing and data entry

· Good knowledge of GDPR compliance and data protection best practice

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion: Brake is passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that values diversity. We’re committed to supporting employees to achieve a good work/life balance and flexible around caring commitments. We welcome your application whatever your background or situation. We particularly welcome applications from those who are part of the global majority, the LGBTQIA+ community or disabled. We are proud to be a disability confident employer. We don’t want you to ‘fit’ our culture, we want you to enrich it. So, if you have a passion for making a difference and share in our vision for a world where no one is killed on our roads, we would love to hear from you.

Apply now: If you're up for a new challenge and have the skills, apply now by sending your CV and cover letter. We'd like to get to know the real you through your application, not an AI version. If you do use AI to write your cover letter, please check it and make sure it reflects who you are. We encourage cover letters in alternative formats such as videos or presentations. 

Not for traffic offenders: Due to the nature of our work we can't accept applications from traffic offenders. Candidates will be asked to disclose whether they have any unspent points on their licence at screening/interview.

Questions? If you would like to discuss the role further, please get in touch, we'd love to chat.

Turn2us is a national charity tackling poverty and the structural causes of financial insecurity. We work with co-producers and partners to provide people in financial crisis with the means and agency to get back on their feet, build resilience, move forward with their lives and thrive.

As an equal opportunities employer, we are committed to equity, inclusion and diversity and the value people from different backgrounds bring to a team. If, like us, you believe everyone has the right to have enough to live on, and you are ambitious about eradicating poverty, join us and build your career with a charity dedicated to ensuring dignity and equity for all.

We're now looking for an exceptional Senior PR and Press Officer to help us amplify voices, challenge persistent, negative narratives around the social security system, and shift public attitudes about financial insecurity. Ideally, you’ll already have solid PR and press experience within a charity or comparable organisation’s press office, excellent media contacts, and the strategic mindset to put people’s real lives and complex challenges front and centre in your storytelling.

You’ll be someone who writes clearly and persuasively, handles sensitive topics with genuine care, and who’s excited by the challenge of finding creative ways to engage diverse audiences. Your strong relationships with journalists will help us ensure the voices of people facing financial insecurity are represented accurately, widely, and compassionately in the media.

We offer flexible working patterns, both in terms of hours and remote working. All team members come into our welcoming Farringdon office at least once a week, and you'll be joining a warm, supportive team that believes in each other, celebrates great work, and loves what we do.

Please note that all employees are required to work from the office a minimum of 1 day a week.

Some roles may be required to be in the office more often than others and this will be agreed with the hiring manager upon starting at Turn2us.

Please note that all job offers are subject to 2 – 3 satisfactory references and a disclosure satisfactory to Turn2us from the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS). 

We’re genuinely excited to hear from you.

Closing date: 20th July, 23:59

Interview date: 11 Aug for first interviews, 18 Aug for second interviews

Assistant Communications Officer

Do you have experience working in a fast paced press office or communications team and are looking to take your next step? Are you skilled in juggling tasks and enjoy the buzz of a busy comms office? Mencap is recruiting for an Assistant Communications Officer - a vital role across our PR and social media teams, helping bring together our day to day work - this position is hugely varied with bags of opportunity to learn and grow in the role.

The role is full time (37.5 hours per week) with hybrid working at home and in the London Office. We know that work is something you do not just a place you go.  At Mencap we give office-based colleagues and teams more flexibility about where the work is done. 

About the role of Assistant Communications Officer:

•  You will be supporting both the media team and wider communications team to help us reach as wide an audience as possible.
•  Supporting the media team with day-to-day tasks such as writing and issuing the daily news summary, managing rotas, assisting with compiling monthly reports, take part in the team rota to be the first point of contact for media requests coming into the organisation - via press phone and media inbox.
•  Supporting the media team with campaign press - writing press releases and creating social media content, pitching stories to journalists, setting up media interviews and writing briefing documents and work with the social media team to monitor our social channels and interact with followers where required.

You will be a crucial cog in ensuring the smooth running of the press office with:

·  Strong organisation and time management skills to keep the team running efficiently and manage your varied workload.

· At least 1 years experience within communications.

· Have good initiative.

*This is not an exhaustive list of the role, please see the attached job description for more information.

This role closes on Wednesday 23rd July 2025 and first interviews will be Wednesday 30th July via Microsoft Teams.

At Mencap, we value a diverse and inclusive workplace and we intentionally plan for the success of our colleagues in everything we do. We welcome applications from everyone, so come as you are and join us. Together we are Mencap! 

Benefits

Here at Mencap, we offer an impressive range of benefits designed to support and reward our employees to ensure that our teams feel valued and appreciated.

Our benefits package offers 32 days of paid holiday (including bank holidays, pro rata), along with a range of perks such as discounts at leading high-street retailers, access to health cash plans, interest-free loans, and many more exciting offerings.

For more details on what we have to offer, please see the attached document outlining all the fantastic benefits available to you as a member of our team!

About Mencap

Our vision is for the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives.

We're here to support people with a learning disability, their families and their carers. We fight for a kinder, fairer and more inclusive society for people with a learning disability to live in.

At Mencap, everyone works with people with a learning disability either providing support or advice, or alongside one another as colleagues.

Belonging at Mencap is for everyone, every day, everywhere.

· Everyone is expected to treat people well and make Mencap an inclusive organisation.

· Every day we grow and learn. It’s okay to make mistakes but we learn from them and make changes

· Everywhere people will feel respected, valued, and safe to be themselves.

We have Belonging network groups that meet online and are open to all colleagues. The groups include people who identify as Black and Asian, LGBTQIA+, disabled or with a long- term health condition, women, parents and carers, and their allies.

We want to encourage everyone to apply to work at Mencap and we offer a variety of different contract types and working patterns. We’re not looking for specific experience. It is your personality and values that will make you a great colleague. We will train and develop you to succeed in the role you’re applying for.

 PR & Communications Lead

Salary: £35,000pa

Hours: 37.5 hours per week 

Location: St Joseph's Hospice, Thornton (L23)  - with flexibility for some homeworking

Reports to: Chief Executive

About Us:
St Joseph’s Hospice provides compassionate, specialist palliative and end-of-life care for people across our local communities. Rooted in values of dignity, trust, compassion, hospitality and respect, we support patients and their families during life’s most challenging times.

Job Overview:
We are seeking a skilled and experienced PR & Communications Lead to take ownership of our media strategy and help elevate the Hospice’s profile. You will manage all communications functions including media relations, branding, internal/external messaging, digital content, and event promotion.

Key Duties Include:

• Developing and delivering a PR & communications plan aligned with the Hospice strategy
• Acting as the main point of contact for all media and press enquiries
• Managing the Hospice website, newsletters, and social media presence
• Supporting income generation through high-quality marketing materials
• Writing press releases, managing media visits, and arranging press conferences
• Maintaining consistent branding across all content and publications
• Building strong relationships with internal teams, supporters, and stakeholders
• Monitoring media coverage and evaluating campaign effectiveness

You will have a recognised Public Relations or Journalism qualification (CIPR or NCTJ) and at least one years experience in a media/communications environment. Strong writing, editing, and digital media skills are a must.

Additional Information

Benefits include an employer contributory pension scheme, 7 weeks annual leave (incl bank hols), access to an Employee Assistance Programme and free onsite parking. Continued access to NHS pension scheme is available for current members. 

Whilst this post is based at the Hospice, there is flexibility for some home working. 

This Post is subject to a Standard DBS Disclosure

To Apply:

The closing date for the receipt of completed applications is: 20th July 2025. 

Location (UK): Office Hybrid* - London/Chesterfield (potential office relocation to central Sheffield in 2026)
Hours: Full time, 35 hours per week
Travel: Occasional travel to Versus Arthritis offices (London, Chesterfield, Cardiff, Belfast, Glasgow)
 

Join us and use your skills, knowledge, passion and energy to help us achieve a future free from arthritis.

We’re seeking a Media and PR Assistant to join our busy press office working to grow the charity’s profile and media reach. This role would suit a team player with a proactive attitude who has a keen interest in, and knowledge of, the media. Strong communication skills – both written and verbal - are a must.

About the role

As the Assistant PR and Media Officer, you will work across the media and PR team to support the delivery of impactful media coverage that will build understanding of the issues affecting people with arthritis, increase awareness of Versus Arthritis and drive change.

This will include acting as a point of contact for journalists seeking information and working with colleagues across the charity to provide timely and accurate comment, requiring occasional out of hours work. As well as responding to reactive media enquiries, you will have the opportunity to help deliver proactive media work and write press releases. 

Central to increasing awareness and understanding of arthritis is through sharing the experiences of people with lived experience. Alongside the Stories Officer, you will support people to share their stories with media and help manage these important relationships. 

A key part of the role is to provide administrative support and to lead on media monitoring and evaluation, ensuring this supports team performance and learning. We’re a friendly and supportive team, keen to help you progress and thrive.

About you

If your knowledge, skills and experience include the following then we’d love to hear from you:

• Experience writing in different styles and producing content for different audiences.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Confident working with internal and external stakeholders at different levels.
• A proactive, ‘can do’ attitude and desire to learn and develop.
• The ability to work on different priorities and manage time effectively to meet deadlines. 
• An interest in improving the lives of people with arthritis and the willingness to gain knowledge of arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions.

*As a hybrid worker the expectation is that you will spend around 40% of your working time in our office spaces or working in community settings. As an inclusive employer we will consider home-based working for anyone where office-based hybrid working would be a barrier to being able to work for us, for example for someone living with a long-term health condition or disability.

Benefits

Your excellent benefits include:

• Flexible hours, environments and working practices to promote a healthy work/life balance.
• Health and wellbeing support – including the Employee Assistance Programme (free confidential 24/7 support with mental health, legal and financial queries).
• Simplyhealth cash plan.
• Supportive and inclusive culture, with a wide range of employee networks and support groups available to join.
• Learning and personal development opportunities.
• Competitive annual leave, with the option to buy/sell up to five days per year.
• Generous pension plan, with employer contribution of up to 10%.
• Life Assurance plan (4 x salary).

​Application deadline and shortlisting 

• We advise candidates to apply early as we reserve the right to close applications ahead of the advertised date.  
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. 

We do not wish to receive contact from agencies or media sales. 

Please note that we do not use Artificial Intelligence (AI) during our recruitment and selection processes, and we would respectfully ask that you also refrain from using AI during the selection process. Whilst we do recognise that AI may be a beneficial tool for some when aiding research and preparation for an application or interview, we want to maintain a fair, inclusive and positive recruitment experience at Versus Arthritis where candidates can feel supported to demonstrate their experience, knowledge, and skills without the use of AI generated answers. 

Interview

Interview dates are to be confirmed.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we guarantee you will be offered an interview if you disclose a disability and demonstrate sufficient evidence within your application that you meet the essential criteria for this role. We will also make any reasonable adjustments you may require for your interview.

Safeguarding Officer

£45,000 - £48,000 depending on experience

37.5 hours per week (Full time)

Home based with travel around the Synod and occasional Synod Office attendance when directed

Southern Synod are seeking to appoint a Safeguarding Officer. The post holder will be the main contact for the churches within Southern Synod to advise them on safeguarding children and adults at risk on a day-to-day basis, as well as providing training to a wide range of people as necessary.  They will have excellent communication skills, broad experience of networking across organisations, expert knowledge of current statutory safeguarding legislation and the ability to work and travel independently. 

Discretion and confidentiality is important, as is an awareness of and willingness to work with the aims, objectives, culture, challenges and Christian ethos of the United Reformed Church. 

 Main responsibilities:

· to be an advocate and role model for safeguarding in the Synod

· to advise and support the Synod and local Churches in safeguarding matters

· to deliver or enable safeguarding training

· to ensure that accurate records are kept, and relevant reports are completed

· to keep abreast of developments in safeguarding and maintain appropriate links

The closing date is noon Monday 11th August 2025. Interviews will be held on Tuesday 19th August 2025 at the Synod Office in Croydon.

Are you a confident communicator with a knack for storytelling?

Can you craft content that captures attention across social media, press and digital platforms?

Are you passionate about the power of communities to improve lives?

If so, we have an exciting opportunity in our newly formed Communications Directorate, where you'll play a key role in delivering impactful communications—primarily focused on our dormant assets funding.

Our current dormant assets programme, Young Start distributes money from dormant accounts on behalf of the Scottish Government to projects that are run for and by young people aged eight to 25.  Since 2012, it has distributed £75 million to thousands of projects across Scotland.

Working to the Strategic Communications Lead for Scotland you will be responsible for telling the story of our dormant assets funding across social media, press and digital platforms to a variety of audiences.

Responsibilities include:

• leading on all regular announcements of dormant assets funding to the media and stakeholders
• interviewing young people behind the projects to produce engaging content for media features, case studies and online social media channels
• managing the yearly production of the Young Start Annual Report, at the request of the Scottish Government.
• Support proactive communications campaigns from story identification to coverage
• Build and maintain relationships with Scotland’s national, regional and specialist media.
• Respond to dormant assets related media enquiries and contribute to rapid response communications during reputational issues.
   

About you

You will be comfortable speaking to a wide range of stakeholders including children and young people about the impact that the funding is making in their lives and telling their stories with duty of care and a creative and engaging approach.

You will be collaborative in nature and enjoy working proactively and in partnership with colleagues across the Fund. An open, supportive and flexible team working approach is necessary.

You will be adept at managing a busy and varied workload.

There can be occasional weekend and evening working to suit the needs of young people, but most of our work takes place on weekdays in normal working hours.

Interview Date: 18th and 19th August - virtual

Location: Scotland, Hybrid

On application, please align your supporting statement to the criteria below

Essential

• Strong communications skills, both written and oral
• Background in integrated communications activity, using a variety of channels
• Ability to work with a wide range of stakeholders and to develop strong relationships
• Project management skills; confident working in a matrixed organisation with competing deadlines
• A good understanding of the Scottish policy context the Fund operates in”

Desirable

• Evidence of interest and experience in the Fund’s ‘helping children and young people to thrive’ mission.
• An understanding of Scotland’s media landscape
• Experience of producing and repurposing content for a variety of platforms such as press releases and social media channels

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion  

Communities in the UK come in all shapes and sizes. National Lottery funding is for everyone – therefore, we are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and we work hard to ensure our funding reaches where it is needed.  

We also believe our people should represent the communities, organisations and individuals we work with. That’s why The National Lottery Community Fund is committed to being an inclusive employer and a great place to work. We recognise and celebrate the fact that our people come from diverse backgrounds. We positively welcome applications from people from ethnic minority backgrounds, people with disabilities or longstanding health conditions, people who are LGBTQ+, and people from different socio-economic and educational backgrounds, as well as people of all ages. 

As a Disability Confident Employer, we take a proactive approach in making reasonable adjustments, if needed, throughout the recruitment process and during employment. (This can be related to a physical and mental health condition.) 

This position will play a vital part in supporting the Income Generation department and the charity as a whole, helping to raise awareness, engage supporters, and drive fundraising efforts across multiple channels.

The ideal candidate will be proactive, results-driven, and have a passion for charity work. This is an exciting opportunity to create the marketing strategy for a growing charity while working closely with various departments to ensure a unified message and approach is taken.

Key Responsibilities:

• Campaign Development: Plan and execute integrated marketing campaigns that promote the charity’s mission, events, and fundraising activities across digital and traditional platforms.
• Brand Awareness: Increase the visibility and awareness of the charity through targeted marketing strategies, including social media, email marketing, and public relations.
• Content Creation: Produce compelling content (e.g., newsletters, social media updates, website pages, impact reports, press releases) that resonates with our target audiences and promotes the charity’s work.
• Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement: Work closely with the Income Generation team to create marketing materials and campaigns that support donor acquisition and retention.
• Data Analysis & Reporting: Monitor and report on the effectiveness of marketing campaigns, using data to refine strategies and improve outcomes.
• Collaboration: Work cross-departmentally with other teams within the charity to ensure consistent messaging and alignment with the organisation’s goals.
• Event Promotion: Support the promotion and marketing of fundraising events and initiatives to increase participation and visibility.
• Community Building: Engage with the charity’s supporters, volunteers, and partners, creating a sense of community and encouraging long-term relationships.

The Communications Department at Alzheimer’s Research UK (ARUK) informs, inspires and engages our many audiences about dementia and the progress being made in research. The Strategic Communications Officer will be part of the Strategic Communications team – one of several specialist teams in the wider Department.

The Strategic Communications Officer will be responsible for producing high-quality and compelling communications to raise the profile of the charity and rally much-needed support for the cause.

They will play a vital role in shaping our brand, driving impactful campaigns, and supporting fundraising initiatives that help accelerate the search for a cure for dementia.

The postholder will also empower teams across the charity to consistently deliver key messages through exceptional storytelling, to reach Alzheimer’s Research UK’s core audiences. 

Main duties and responsibilities of the role:

· Working with the Senior Strategic Communications Manager, lead on communications for charity-wide key moments, including co-ordinating activity, developing key messaging and narrative, and creating compelling content that can be used across teams. Effectively measure the impact of this work.

· Help ensure consistent, powerful storytelling, amplifying our key messages, across all platforms including web, email, social and video.

· Work closely with teams to ensure their content embodies Alzheimer’s Research UK tone of voice.

· Prepare, write, pitch and issue media stories to generate coverage for our initiatives and campaigns.

· Establish and develop valuable and productive relationships with journalists; respond promptly to queries, including occasional out-of-hours queries.

· Develop effective relationships with teams across Alzheimer's Research UK’s Communications, Policy and Involvement (PCI) Directorate, and Fundraising & Marketing (F&M) Directorate, in order to identify and deliver on communications needs.

· Attend and/or organise appropriate meetings and events – these will require some travel and occasional unsociable hours.

What we are looking for:

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

· Confidence working with computers; knowledge of Microsoft office packages and databases, good keyboard skills.

· Excellent organisational skills; the ability to manage a large number of tasks with internal and external stakeholders to multiple deadlines.

· Ability to communicate appropriately with people affected by dementia and to translate scientific work for lay people; knowledge of dementia and/or science is advantageous, but not a requirement.

· Experience working in the PR, marketing or brand sector.

· Experience of supporting or co-ordinating partnership working.

· Experience of delivering communications programmes through a variety of media (e.g. press, social media, email, events).

Additional Information:

Ways of working: As part of our Agile ways of working you will be required to work approximately 2 days a week from the office, which is subject to the requirements of the role and the business needs. Flexibility on where you work can be split between working from home and our office.

Roles that are classed as part of the Agile ways of working are not able to claim any costs for Mileage/Travel on Public Transport, Accommodation and/or Meals.  This includes when attending the office for various meetings/events.

Our Office: Our office is at 3 Riverside, Granta Park, Great Abington, Cambridge, CB21 6AD. 

Salary: Circa £31,000 per annum, plus benefits

Please download the Vacancy Pack on our website for more information.

The closing date for applications is the 27th July 2025, with interviews being arrange once shortlisting has been completed. Please indicate in your covering letter if you are unable to attend an interview on a certain date. We would encourage you to submit your application at the earliest opportunity, as on occasion we may have to bring forward the interview date and/or the closing date based on the needs of the business. Although a possibility, this will only happen in exceptional circumstances. Please indicate in your covering letter if you are unable to attend an interview on a certain date.

We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential.  We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under-represented.  Any offer of employment is however subject to you having the right to work in the UK.

As part of our commitment to being an inclusive employer and ensuring fairness and consistency in our selection process, we will handle your CV and application with the utmost confidentiality. While we strive to anonymise your CV where possible, there are certain sections, such as the application question, that cannot be fully anonymised. We kindly ask that you remove any personal information, including your name, when answering the application question. The hiring panel will not have access to your personal details, such as your name and address, until you are invited for an interview. Should you require any adjustments at either the application or interview stage, please contact us via the website. 

How to apply: Please create an online account using our Online Recruitment Platform which can be accessed through our Job Vacancies page. You will be able to attach your CV to your application and track the status of your application.

About Alzheimer’s Research UK: Alzheimer's Research UK is the UK's leading dementia research charity. Our mission is to accelerate progress towards a cure.  Today 1 in 2 people will be impacted by dementia, either through caring for a loved one, developing it themselves or tragically both. But there is hope. 

There has never been a more important and exciting time in dementia research. With promising new drugs in clinical trials that slow the progression of the diseases that cause it, and revolutionary new ways to diagnose them on the horizon, we are now at a tipping point. Working with the smartest minds globally and across the UK, with industry and academia, Alzheimer’s Research UK is uniquely placed to invest in the very best research identifying barriers to a cure and knocking them down so that there are more and better treatments for everyone with dementia. For the first time in history, we can see a future where people with dementia can get a swift and accurate diagnosis, and effective treatments that could slow or even stop their disease. We stand for everyone affected by dementia. We stand for a cure. 

In 2024, we were incredibly proud to be awarded a 3-star accreditation by Best Companies which recognises ‘World Class’ levels of workplace engagement. This is the second consecutive time; we have been awarded a Best Companies 3-star accreditation.

We were also listed in the prestigious Best Companies lists:

· 18th in the 100 Best Large Companies to Work For in the UK.

· 10th in the 50 Best Companies to Work For in the East of England.

· 2nd in the 30 Best Companies to Work For in the Charity Sector.

ARUK really does look after its people, where you will be able to add value and make a difference. 

To view further details about working for us and the benefits we offer, please visit Alzheimer’s Research UK

We are seeking a compassionate, visionary, and strategic Chief Executive Officer to lead Mermaids through the next stage of its evolution, dedicated to improving the lives of gender-diverse children and young people, and those who are important to them. As CEO, you will be responsible for driving the charity’s mission, shaping its strategic direction, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality, affirming support services. You will act as a visible and credible advocate for trans and 
gender-diverse youth, build strong relationships with stakeholders, and influence public policy and sector practice. Working closely with the Board of Trustees, you will oversee a small committed team, ensure robust financial management with the Chief Operating Officer, and lead fundraising efforts to secure a sustainable future. This is a unique opportunity for a values-driven leader who brings both strategic acumen and a deep commitment to equity, inclusion, and lived 
experience. 
Service Delivery:
• Provide strategic and operational leadership across all service delivery areas, including support line services, group work,  advocacy, external communications, and policy.
• Ensure services are high quality, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of trans and gender-diverse children, young people and the special people in their lives.
• Lead the continuous improvement and development of service delivery models, ensuring impact, effectiveness, and alignment with the charity’s mission.
• Champion a culture of safeguarding, accountability, and young person-centred practice throughout all service delivery. 
• Act as the organisation’s Safeguarding Lead, with oversight of on-call, safeguarding training, and ensuring appropriate escalation mechanisms are in place.
• Oversee the design and implementation of advocacy and policy activities, ensuring the charity’s voice is informed by lived 
experience and is impactful at local and national levels.
• Act as a visible and hands-on leader for frontline teams, providing support, supervision, and inspiration to staff and 
volunteers.
• Monitor performance, outcomes, and feedback to ensure services are meeting objectives and delivering positive change 
for beneficiaries.

Governance:
• In partnership with the board of trustees, set and articulate our vision, mission and strategy, and keep this under continual 
review.
• Lead the development and implementation of Mermaid’s strategic plan, ensuring sustainability and growth.
• Liaise with the board of trustees to ensure the charity’s governance, structure, policies and procedures are appropriate 
and effective, taking remedial measures and implementing change as necessary. This includes supporting board 
development.
• Work closely with the Chair and Board of Trustees to support strong governance and informed decision-making.
• Provide accurate and timely reporting on organisational performance, risks, and impact.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory guidance and legislation, including the Charity Commission and the Fundraising 

Finance & Fundraising:
• Working with the Chief Operating Officer and the Board of Trustees, ensure Mermaids has robust, deliverable fundraising 
and finance strategies in place, and subsequent action plans are embedded throughout the organisation to support their 
delivery.
• In partnership with the Chief Operating Officer, ensure Mermaids has robust finance, HR, IT, data privacy and governance processes and procedures are embedded.

People and Culture:
• Line manage senior staff including the COO and service delivery managers.
• Foster a positive, collaborative, inclusive internal culture that values lived experience and wellbeing.
• Continue work to embed a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion across the organisation, as well as a focus on accessibility.
• Work to define and drive trans-centred leadership across the organisation, including ensuring that the organisation is a trans-positive, supportive employer.

External Engagement and Advocacy:
• Represent Mermaids publicly, including acting as the key spokesperson and strategic policy stakeholder, ensuring 
organisational awareness of the external landscape and the changing needs of trans children, young people and their 
families, and advocating for these needs to be met.
• Lead communications strategy, and lead press engagement by responding to media inquiries, interviews, press conferences and media events.
• Lead on stakeholder engagement, including with funders, supporters, community partners, and policy influencers.
• Advocate for the rights and needs of trans and gender-diverse children, young people and the significant others in their lives at a national level.