PR Officer (Research and Campaigning)

Job Purpose: The PR team works to raise awareness of brain tumours, support our mission to increase the UK investment in research into brain tumours, acquire new supporters and maintain our status as the leading voice of the brain tumour community.

Working with the Research and Campaigning team, the Research and Campaigning PR Officer will use print, online and broadcast media to communicate research findings and demonstrate the Charity’s impact. The post holder will also use news media to deliver on the charity’s campaigning priorities and support our work to influence governments (UK and devolved nations) to increase the national investment in research into brain tumours and access to clinical trials.

The role will increase the Charity’s influence, profile and impact by turning research, evidence and lived experience into compelling media stories and campaigns.

They will be part of a highly motivated and effective team, building loyalty with our supporters and developing relationships with families who have been affected by this devastating disease.

Salary: circa £33,000

Contract: Permanent, Full Time – 35 hours pw

Location: Head Office in Milton Keynes. Hybrid (Tuesdays and Wednesdays mandatory office days in Milton Keynes).

Role reports into: PR Manager, Marketing and Communications Directorate

Direct reports: None

Main duties include but not limited to:

Media relations

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with national, regional, trade and broadcast media
• Identify and secure media opportunities that raise awareness of the Charity’s research impact and campaigning priorities
• Respond to media enquiries promptly and accurately
• Act as a key contact for journalists and external media stakeholders
• Organise media interviews, press briefings and photo opportunities
• Identify strong media angles from research, policy analysis, case studies and external developments

Content Development

• Write press releases, media statements, pitches and opinion pieces that communicate research findings and campaigning priorities
• Support the development of case studies featuring patients and supporters
• Prepare spokespeople for media interviews

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Track and evaluate media coverage and campaign performance
• Use media insights to improve future communications activity

Stakeholders

• Work closely with the Research Communications Manager to deliver a pipeline of media stories that demonstrate our research impact
• Work closely with the Campaigning team to deliver a pipeline of media stories to support the charity’s campaigning priorities
• Work closely with the Marketing and Communications Directorate to deliver multi-platform campaigns
• Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the Head of Communications and PR or Director of Marketing and Communications

Governance

• Ensure that central administration systems in place at Brain Tumour Research are complied with and that all information relating to contacts are correctly entered onto Brain Tumour Research’s database
• Ensure that all relevant charity and other legislation is complied with
• Comply with Brain Tumour Research’s internal policies as appropriate

Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Essential:

• Bachelor’s degree in public relations, media communications or a related field, or similar professional level of experience of at least two years
• Experience working in a science communications and/or policy communications role
• Demonstrable track record of generating impactful PR coverage
• Sharp news sense, solid understanding of how the media works and ability to create and tailor content for a variety of print/digital and broadcast outlets
• Ability to translate complex topics into clear, engaging messaging for different audiences and ability to write compelling, engaging, accurate and concise copy
• Ability to prioritise and meet deadlines whilst remaining adaptable to a fast-moving news agenda
• Strong interpersonal skills, ability to work within a close-knit team and establish rapport with colleagues and our supporters over the phone / via email / face to face
• Ability to handle difficult and sensitive issues, and to interact with empathy, compassion, tact, diplomacy and patience
• IT skills including detailed knowledge of using Microsoft Word and Microsoft Outlook
• Effective organisational, planning and prioritisation skills

Desirable:

• Degree in biological sciences, policy and public affairs or politics
• Existing media relationships and an affinity for building positive and supportive rapport with journalists
• Experience of working in a newsroom
• Experience of working in the charity sector
• Experience of working with a contact management system
• A keen interest in the media landscape including the public affairs arena