Senior Media Relations Officer (Science) – Scotland

Location: Home-based in Scotland (preferably within travelling distance of our Edinburgh Centre and Beatson Institute)

Salary: Up to £33,000 per annum dependent on experience + benefits

Contract: Full time, 14 month fixed-term contract

Closing Date: Sunday 4th October 2020, 23:55

Interview Dates: Monday 26th and Tuesday 27th October 2020

Are you a highly-motivated, creative and experienced media professional?

We are looking for an innovative individual with significant experience in regional media relations to join our dynamic, sector-leading team.

Cancer Research UK is the world’s leading charity dedicated to beating cancer through research.  People with cancer and their families are at the heart of everything we do. Based at home in Scotland, you will create and exploit media and public interest in the work and aims of the charity across the region.

Key responsibilities will include…

• Implementing national PR plans for Scotland, supporting key science and health initiatives, harnessing fundraising and policy messages where appropriate

• Generating and tailoring press releases featuring CRUK for the Scottish media

• Forging close relationships with scientists, clinicians and people affected by cancer, and supporting them to share their stories in the media

• Building a network of media contacts in Scotland

• Writing and selling in media releases

• Organising photocalls

• Shooting and editing video content for online media using a provided smartphone (training provided).

To take on this exciting opportunity and help us beat cancer sooner you’ll have…

• Strong communication skills, written and oral, with experience in science communications

• Ability to make sense of complex science and research papers

• A sophisticated knowledge of issues related to cancer

• A strong news sense and the ability to exploit existing media and networking contacts in Scotland

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to gain trust and support from colleagues and external stakeholders

• An appreciation of the role of social media in enhancing media relations

• The confidence to work independently and remotely, and also as part of a geographically-dispersed team.

The successful candidate must have a driving licence and be able to travel when necessary, especially to our Edinburgh Centre and Beatson Institute.