Stories Officer

Contract: Permanent, part time (21 hours per week over 3 days)
Closing date: midnight Wednesday 18 September 2024
Interview dates: Thursday 3 and Friday Wednesday 4 October 2024 at London, SW1P 2AF

This role offers a unique opportunity to capture and craft compelling narratives that highlight the impactful work we do every day. By creating and managing engaging content, you’ll help amplify our mission, connect with our audience, and inspire support for our cause.

About the Role

As our Stories Officer, you’ll work closely with our Stories Manager and Editor to produce high-quality, narrative content that showcases the difference Blue Cross makes in the lives of pets and their people. This part-time role places you at the heart of our storytelling efforts, using your skills to enhance our public profile, attract support, and drive supporter engagement.

You will ensure all stories are captured ethically and comply with our editorial standards, GDPR, and organisational principles. Your storytelling will play a vital role in raising awareness of our work and inspiring action from our community.

Key Responsibilities

• Gather and document impactful stories that reflect our mission and resonate with our audience.
• Collaborate with colleagues to produce engaging content for various channels, focusing on storytelling that highlights our achievements.
• Conduct interviews and write stories with accuracy, adhering to house style and ensuring GDPR and safeguarding compliance.
• Organise and direct photo and video shoots at Blue Cross sites and with pets in their new homes, working with external photographers and our in-house Video team.
• Build and maintain relationships with internal and external partners to facilitate effective story collection.
• Work with our Fundraising teams to develop ideas for donor appeals and mailings that illustrate the impact of donations.
• Track and organise stories in our Digital Asset Management (DAM) system for future use.
• Publish stories on our website, ensuring they are well-presented and meet content design and accessibility standards.
• Travel regularly to capture authentic stories and ensure content reflects real experiences.

Other Duties

• Assist with the production of our supporter magazine, For Pets, and our monthly newsletter, Pawprint.
• Share best practices on storytelling and brand voice to enhance our overall communication strategy.
• Manage content for key projects and campaigns, ensuring timely delivery and alignment with our communications calendar.

About You

We’re looking for an excellent writer who understands the art of compelling storytelling. You should be confident in interviewing people, making them feel at ease, and sensitive to their privacy. Your organisational skills and enthusiasm for our mission will be key to your success in this role.

It goes with saying, you will have a passion for pet welfare and a commitment to making a positive impact.

Essential Qualifications and Skills

• Experience in researching, interviewing, and writing engaging, story-led content.
• Proven track record as a journalist or story gatherer for a non-profit.
• Exceptional proofreading skills and command of the English language.
• Excellent organisational skills and ability to build relationships with diverse individuals.
• Strong understanding of media law, GDPR, and safeguarding issues.
• Willingness to travel occasionally (approx. one to two times a month).

Desirable Qualifications and Skills

• NCTJ qualification or other relevant journalistic training.
• Experience with on-camera interviews and video content creation.
• Familiarity with CMS (e.g., Drupal) and email campaign systems (e.g., Adestra).
• Knowledge of workflow management tools (e.g., Monday . com).
• Interest in pet care and welfare issues.
• Experience in directing photoshoots and using design tools like InDesign and Photoshop.

What We Offer

Our people are the heart of our mission. Their incredible dedication and hard work make our impact possible. They're at the centre of everything we do. That's why we're committed to creating a workplace where they can thrive. Enjoy a range of benefits designed to enhance both their professional and personal life.

• Competitive, market rate salary 
• 30 days (pro rata based on part-time hours, rising with service) PLUS bank holidays.
• Private medical insurance
• Pension scheme with enhanced employer contributions
• Employee Assistance Program
• Physiotherapy support
• Mental health support
• Health cash plan
• Life assurance
• Flexible working arrangements (where possible)
• Professional development opportunities
• Recognition schemes
• Charity worker discounts
• Volunteer day

We want you to feel valued and supported throughout your career with us. For more details on our benefits and to see how we invest in our team, visit the 'why work for us' page on our website.

How to apply 

Complete the online application process on our website before the closing date on Wednesday 18 September 2024.

We’re excited about the prospect of finding the right candidate and may close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible to ensure your application is considered.
 

About Blue Cross

Blue Cross is a national charity that has been helping sick, injured and homeless pets since 1897. 

Every month we help thousands of pets and their people by providing veterinary care, expert behaviour advice and find homeless pets loving families. We also offer education for future generations plus pet bereavement support for those who have lost their beloved pet companion. 

We love the ways that pets can make such an amazing difference to the people they live with and we offer lifelong support and advice to help that unique relationship thrive. With your support we can give back to more pets and their families who need our help. 

Pets change lives. We change theirs.

Our commitment to diversity and inclusion   

We believe that every pet should enjoy a healthy life in a happy home, and we always seek to recruit the best people who share our values and commitment so we can continue to help and support pet owners across the UK to achieve this. 

At Blue Cross, we want you to feel that you belong, without the need to hide any part of who you are.  

Diversity and inclusion at Blue Cross means creating a workplace where all people, regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, nation or country of origin, disability, age, and socioeconomic backgrounds are welcome, respected, supported, and have access to equal opportunities.   

We are working hard to reflect the world we live in and the communities we serve at every level of our organisation. As much as we have made positive advances, we consider diversity and inclusion to be a work in progress – a continual commitment that remains a priority for all of us.  

If you would like to talk to us about any reasonable adjustments or changes to our recruitment process to support you to be your best, then please get in touch.

Our values    

Our values define the way we do things. We use them every day to guide us, and to make sure we put people and pets at the heart of everything we do.  

Compassionate: We listen, we are non-judgmental, we are kind and caring to the pets and people we encounter, and we offer support in difficult times  

Courageous: We make brave decisions, embrace change, and encourage innovation, ensuring we always act with integrity – doing the right thing even when no one is looking  

Inclusive: We value all our relationships and work in an open and positive culture where we celebrate our diverse talents and empower you to be you