Samaritans jobs
Samaritans’ award-winning Media and Communications teams work with the media and stakeholders to responsibly raise awareness of suicide prevention and reach those who are struggling to cope.
In this exciting role and working with our award-winning rail programme, the Media and Communications Manager will take the lead in developing, delivering and managing Samaritans’ communications and media activity relating to rail suicide prevention in order to raise awareness, engage supporters & stakeholders and positively influence the wider media’s reporting of suicides.
• £40,000-£42,000 per annum
• 12 month fixed term contract
• Full time (35 hours per week) with flexible working
• Hybrid working: Linked to our Ewell (Surrey) office. There is an option to occasionally work from an office space in London Bridge.
• In-person working: Meeting in person and working collaboratively are things we value. Staff are expected to work in person around 2 days per month.
• We are passionate about flexible working, talk to us about your preferences.
The Role
This post will operate at a national level alongside similar posts in the rail industry. It will seek to develop ties with all train operator and Network Rail communications team and will play a key role in delivering Samaritans messages at a national level.
This position will work across both the Network Rail Partnership team and the External Affairs team in order to provide dedicated focus, resource and specialist expertise – providing a conduit for these skills and colleagues in the rail sector.
Skills and experience you’ll need
In this role, you’ll need experience of working in a press office, PR agency, or similar role within a wider communications team or media outlet, having developed excellent communication and written skills, along with a good working knowledge of UK media landscape, a strong news sense and experience selling-in.
Working with stakeholders across the rail industry, you’ll have experience of influencing, negotiating and, ideally, partnership working. Warm, personable and friendly, you’ll have strong interpersonal skills and be able to build and maintain relationships with many different groups of people.
Highly organised and able to work under pressure to meet deadlines, you’ll be a self-starter with experience of successful project management. You’ll need compassion and resilience to work with exposure to incidents and stories that may be upsetting.
Why join Samaritans
Samaritans is one of the UK and Ireland’s best known and respected charities - our vision is that fewer people die by suicide. As the impact of the pandemic continues to be felt across our society, Samaritans is needed more than ever. If you want to make a real difference to people’s lives – this is the role for you.
Working at Samaritans
For further information about Samaritans, including our charity structure, values, employee benefits, and application process, please read our recruitment brochure on our careers website.
Being Inclusive
We recognise the enormous benefits and the social justice imperatives of ensuring diversity at every level of our organisation. Samaritans is wholly committed to inclusion and diversity and to building a culture and environment where everyone is appreciated for the unique person they are. To ensure Samaritans is representative of those we support and who support us, we particularly welcome applications from Disabled, BAME and LGBTQ+ candidates, as these people are under-represented at Samaritans.
Application
If this sounds like the opportunity for you, please upload your CV and a cover letter (2 page max), outlining your motivations for applying and your transferable skills and experience. Applications close at 9 am on 6 May, with first stage video interviews soon after.
Whilst we appreciate that the use of generative AI functions like ChatGPT is quickly becoming part of working life for many people, through our recruitment process we want to see your own unique ideas and writing skills. We want your application to stand out from the rest and showcase your own strengths. Therefore, we kindly ask that you don’t rely on AI tools for your application answers, cover letter or to generate interview answers.
Apply today and make a real difference to people’s lives.
Registered Charity 
101 - 500
Thank you!
Seeking a purposeful career change? Start on your transformative journey with the On Purpose Associate Programme, offering a unique opportunity for mid-career professionals to transition into impactful work. This paid, year-long leadership programme is designed for those ready to pivot their professional journey towards creating a regenerative, equitable and just future.
Key info:
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Based in London, UK
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Full-time (4.5 days at placement & one half day training weekly)
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£27,010 per annum salary
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Programme dates: October 2025 - September 2026 (49 weeks)
About On Purpose:
On Purpose is tackling the greatest challenge of our time: transforming our economy from profit to purpose. Our leadership programmes develop people who will play their part in this transformation.
Together, we learn to see a different future and take action towards realising it in the organisations we work in. Our programmes seed a vibrant community who care, inspire, challenge and support one another as we make this transformation a reality.
Programme summary:
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Two 6 month placements:
Through work placements with leading purpose-driven organisations, you'll gain hands-on experience tackling pressing social and environmental issues. Some of our current partners include Better Society Capital, Save the Children, BAFTA and Sustainable Ventures.
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Expert-led learning:
Our intensive Learning & Development programme involves weekly in-person sessions led by experts from across sectors. This blend of professional training and academic rigour equips you with the skills, knowledge and mindset to lead organisational and systemic change.
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1-2-1 mentoring & coaching:
Receive support through fortnightly mentoring sessions and quarterly executive coaching, fostering both your personal and professional growth.
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Join a supportive, impactful community:
You’ll be part of a tight-knit cohort of 20 Associates, participating in training sessions every Friday afternoon together. You’ll also join the wider On Purpose community, connecting with a global, influential network of impact-driven professionals offering life-long inspiration, collaboration and opportunities.
Benefits:
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Earn while you learn: On Purpose stands out by offering a paid learning and training opportunity, saving you significant costs compared to paying for other leadership programmes or MBAs, all the while offering extensive learning and development.
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Develop your ability to make an impact: Equip yourself with the skills and insights needed to drive meaningful change. You’ll join nearly 1000 purpose-driven alumni who are leading transformative change worldwide in all parts of the system, with 92% currently working in the impact sector.
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Unlock purpose-driven career opportunities: Our Associates have moved into a whole range of sustainability jobs and social impact roles, ranging from CEOs of social enterprises to leadership positions within traditional companies driving change from within. We have a former music label business owner now the CEO of Hubbub, a former Consultant now Director of Impact at B Lab UK and a former civil servant now Climate Lead at Ellen MacArthur Foundation.
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Standard UK holiday allowance
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A 3-day residential (all expenses paid)
Who we’re looking for:
This programme is ideal for:
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Individuals seeking a career change into the environment and social impact sector.
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Individuals already in the impact sector who want to develop new skills, have the opportunity to work in more commercial organisations, or to join an engaged network of people who share your values and are working toward the same goal.
Specific sector or industry experience is not important. We’re looking for talented people from diverse industries who have a determination to bring their skills and experience to purpose-driven projects and to driving systemic change. We seek ambitious individuals with:
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A minimum of three years full-time professional experience
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The right to work in the UK for the full duration of the programme
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Fluency in English
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Office environment experience
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Skills in project management, stakeholder engagement, adaptability, interpersonal communication, problem-solving, quantitative analysis and strategic thinking.
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Excitement and commitment towards building a career that helps transform our economy from profit to purpose.
Diversity and Inclusion:
We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds and experiences and those who are often under-represented in the impact sector, including but not limited to individuals with disabilities and those from diverse ethnic, gender identities, sexualities, religions, and socio-economic backgrounds.
How to apply:
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Read our Associate Programme brochure for more information.
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Register your interest via our website to receive a link to your online application form.
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Closing date for applications: Monday 19 May, 9:00 am (BST).
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Interviews will be held in mid-late June.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.