12 Research jobs

This is a critical role, shaping, strengthening and elevating the organisation's public voice to maximise awareness, engagement, and support for our mission. You will play a pivotal role in enabling us to substantially increase our impact and grow revenue. Reporting to the Director of Communications and Digital, you will develop and execute integrated communications strategies, build a progressive ambassador, influencer and press relations approach and deliver effective campaigns that inspire action.

About Ovarian Cancer Action  

In the UK, only 1 in 3 women live more than 10 years after an ovarian cancer diagnosis.  As the leading ovarian cancer research charity, we’re working to change that. By finding new and better ways to prevent, detect and treat ovarian cancer, we will ensure a future where no woman dies of ovarian cancer.

This is an exciting time to join Ovarian Cancer Action as we launch our updated strategy. You will play an integral role in the delivery of our shared organisational ambition, driving initiatives that increase the reach and resonance of Ovarian Cancer Action’s brand and the category as a whole. From the voices and partners we work with to reach targeted audiences to the campaigns we execute that resonate with them, you’ll be at the forefront of the opportunities that will ensure that more women survive ovarian cancer.

Sitting at the heart of the global ovarian cancer research community for four decades, we’re funding more ovarian cancer research than any other UK gynaecological cancer charity and driving the biggest breakthroughs. And by connecting the world's leading scientists together, we’re creating a powerful eco-system of experience, expertise and insight that is not only making ovarian cancer survivable, but will one day make it preventable.

Role:   Communications & PR Manager

Reports to:Director of Communications and Digital 

Functional team: Communications and Digital Team 

Main working relationships: 

Communications and Digital, fundraising, charitable activities

External stakeholders: 

Creative suppliers, ambassadors and storytellers

Scope of the role

You will work closely with the Leadership Team to build and deliver strategies across a spectrum of communications disciplines, including: storytelling, media and public relations, celebrity management, brand marketing, and production of materials.

1) Put ovarian cancer in the headlines

· Grow our ability to raise the organisation’s profile through telling stories effectively for different press and broadcast audiences.

· Write press releases, secure coverage, and build relationships with journalists and media outlets.

· Respond to requests from the press for comments, views and supporting information, and maximise opportunities for further engagement on relevant topics.

2) Grow our ambassador programme

· Develop a strong annual programme for our VIPs. Maintain regular check-ins, keep ambassadors updated on strategic plans, and integrate them directly into campaign development rather than involving them only at the final distribution stage.

· Recruit new ambassadors, clearly defining the scope of their roles, ensuring their values align with ours, and that their needs are met as well as the organisation’s.

3) Keep storytelling at the heart of our communications

· Develop an overarching storytelling strategy aligned with the charity's mission, equality, diversity, and inclusion goals.

· Grow our network of authentic and credible storytellers, placing their stories where they will have the widest reach and biggest impact.

· Build and maintain excellent relationships, ensuring all who share their story feel fully supported.

· Use your excellent copywriting and storytelling skills to keep supporters motivated and connected to the difference they make.

· Lead on copywriting and production of marketing materials and key publications including the Annual Report.

4) Drive creative campaigns

· Provide end-to-end project management / support the delivery of integrated campaigns that meet our strategic goals.

· Develop key messages, provide creative direction, maintain appropriate and consistent language and terminology across all media.

· Oversee or create multi-format assets, including written case studies, photography, audio, animation, and video shoots.

· Manage external suppliers and prepare and monitor comms budgets.

5) Develop our brand

· Play a key role in our brand’s development, undertaking regular reviews, making recommendations for development, and turning them into action.

· Act as a ‘brand guardian’ ensuring consistency across all internal and external communications.

· Provide training to staff on branding where necessary and ensure staff are well briefed on key communications issues.

Person specification

At Ovarian Cancer Action, we have different backgrounds, ways of working and areas of expertise, but we strive to create an environment that lives our values and ambitious mindset. This means that your attitude to your work and fellow team members is as important as skills and abilities.

What experience we're looking for

• Manager-level experience in a dedicated communications, PR, or marketing role.
• Proven track record of securing proactive and reactive media coverage across local, regional, and national outlets.
• Existing relationships with dedicated health and science correspondents across national, regional, and trade press desirable.
• Experience planning, executing, and evaluating integrated multi-channel communications and PR campaigns.
• Experience working collaboratively with internal teams, service users/beneficiaries, and external freelancers, creatives, or agencies.
• Understanding of data protection (GDPR), brand guidelines, accessibility, inclusive communications, and handling sensitive or contentious subject matter with sound judgment.

Skills and attributes:

• Exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills with the ability to translate complex scientific and medical issues into clear, compelling narratives.
• Strong project management and campaign planning skills, and the ability to manage multiple activities and deadlines, working effectively across functions.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in health communications.
• A genuine collaborator who works across teams and with external suppliers or event partners.
• Experience using media monitoring tools.

Attitude and personal qualities:

• Self-motivated and excited to seek out new opportunities and make this role their own.
• A strategic thinker – someone who understands that brand, impact, and revenue are one system, not three separate workstreams.
• High empathy and the ability to handle patient and family members’ stories with sensitivity and the utmost care.
• Deeply motivated by the cause, the prospect of making ovarian cancer preventable and survivable within a generation should feel like a genuinely compelling reason to come to work.
• Comfortable working as part of a small, ambitious team.
• Flexible to the needs of the post, including occasional work outside normal working hours, with time off in return.

Don’t meet every single requirement?

Studies have shown that women and people of colour are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. We are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the role description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles that we have.

Additional details

Salary: Between £44,000 – £48,000 per annum (dependent on experience)

Contract type: Permanent

Role type:This is a full-time role, however, we’re open to a variety of working patterns and welcome the opportunity to discuss this with candidates. If flexibility or part-time work is your preference, then a paragraph about how this could work well for you in your supporting statement would be helpful.

Location: This role is hybrid with up to 40% office-based in City Road, London, EC1V 2PR, near Old Street underground station. The nature of the role may require ad hoc work outside regular office hours (with time off in return).

Our benefits and flexible working

• Flexible working: At Ovarian Cancer Action we strive to be a place where the best people do their best work. We take a proactive approach to conversations with staff and candidates around working patterns and are open to considering a variety of flexible working options.
• Annual leave: In addition to 25 days annual leave and eight public holidays per year, three days are also given to be taken between Christmas and New Year, so in total you can receive up to 36 days paid leave.
• Employer and employee contributory pension: We offer a generous pension scheme above the statutory minimum requirement.
• Healthcare plan: We have partnered with Simplyhealth to offer cashback on a range of healthcare services, as well as access to a 24-hour free GP phone line and counselling service.
• Gym discounts: As part of the healthcare plan, you will be able to claim a discount on gym membership at participating gyms.
• Eye test: We offer eye tests and financial support with glasses if needed when using a VDU at work.
• Maternity and paternity pay: We offer additional enhanced maternity and paternity pay for eligible employees.
• Training and development opportunities: We want everyone to have a growth mindset and will work on an individualised learning and development plan for you each year.
• Employee Assistance Programme: Employees and their direct family have access to a 24-hour confidential and free Employee Assistance Programme phone line.
• Social events for the team: We believe work should be fun and create opportunities for the team to spend time together.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

We are committed to actively promoting equality, diversity and inclusivity and welcome enquiries and applications from underrepresented groups, including minoritised communities and applicants with disabilities. At Ovarian Cancer Action, we believe that embracing diversity, promoting equality and fostering inclusivity are essential values that drive our success.

We understand that a diverse workforce brings together unique perspectives, experiences and talents, which fuels innovation and enhances our ability to better serve the communities we work with.