Stories Jobs

Diabetes UK’s award-winning Media Team plays a vital role in helping make life better for people living with diabetes, or those at risk of developing the condition. We secure high-profile coverage in national, regional, consumer and trade press that talks frankly about the diabetes crisis and the seriousness of diabetes. We tell the story of Diabetes UK’s pioneering research, campaign for improvements in diabetes care, and share the stories of those with lived experience of all types of diabetes.

As Media Manager you’ll be part of a busy, high-performing team responsible for the promotion of our work across a range of areas, including research, policy and campaigns, and fundraising. You’ll also play a key role in our busy press office, working with national and trade media to provide expert comment and information.

You will work collaboratively with teams across the UK, including all four nations, to create and deliver the most appropriate and impactful media stories to support our aims.

We have a friendly and inclusive working environment here at Diabetes UK and are proud of our hybrid approach which allows great flexibility in the way that we work. This means that you can balance your working time between home and the office, subject to the needs of your role.

The role can be based at any of the Diabetes UK offices (London, Cardiff, Glasgow, Lisburn, Wolverhampton. Warrington or Taunton).

Office location with hybrid working (based at any Diabetes UK National/Regional Office)

Big Leaf Foundation is now entering its sixth year and we are looking to the future. To ensure we can continue to fulfil our objectives we want to engage more people in our work and make our collective ‘voice’ louder through increased awareness of the issues and how people can help. Our Communications & Campaigns Coordinator leads our communications and supporter engagement work including developing and implementing our communications strategy.

We’re determined to put user-voice at the heart of what we do and to provide a more hopeful and human-centred narrative around asylum. Our Communications Coordinator will lead this work, building case studies and supporting our young people to share their stories through our new Youth Ambassadors programme. We also want to build links with other organisations that campaign to improve the rights of displaced young people and/or ensure existing legal rights are upheld – exploring how Big Leaf can best support and add value to these campaigns.

Role description: 

We are looking for a skilled and detail-oriented Communications & Publications Officer to lead on crafting compelling written content across Southampton Hospitals Charity’s key communication channels. You will be responsible for producing high-quality publications, case studies, and press materials that engage supporters, hospital staff, and the wider community. 

Working closely with the Campaigns and Marketing Manager and Digital Marketing and Content Officer, you will ensure stories and impact case studies are effectively shared across print and digital channels, supporting fundraising and brand awareness. 

Main Responsibilities: 

Content creation & publications 

• Research, write, and edit compelling copy for a range of publications, including impact reports, newsletters, magazines, and brochures. 

• Write engaging press releases and manage media relations. 

• Work with designers and printers to produce high-quality print materials, ensuring the Southampton Hospitals Charity brand is consistent throughout. 

• Work with photographers to ensure the charity has an extensive bank of patient and UHS staff photography to use across marketing collateral and communications. 

Fundraising & supporter engagement 

• Develop and manage case studies that showcase the impact of fundraising and donations, including taking photos of projects and interviewing staff and patients where needed. 

• Develop concepts and promotional collateral for fundraising activity and events (including responsibility for in house design). 

• Work closely with Campaigns & Marketing Manager to develop key messaging and deliver activity for large scale marketing and fundraising campaigns that help the Charity to meet financial and engagement targets. 

• Develop and manage case studies that showcase the impact of fundraising and donations. 

Internal & external communications 

• Build relationships with UHS Communications team. 

• Lead on internal communications, ensuring hospital staff are up-to-date and engaged with charitable activities. 

Stakeholder & media engagement 

• Build relationships with hospital staff to identify potential stories and case studies. 

• Liaise with journalists and media contacts to secure press coverage. 

• Work closely with the Digital Marketing and Content Officer to ensure consistency across print and digital content. 

• Where needed, help manage Digital Marketing and Content Officer responsibilities during periods of annual leave. 

Person Specification: 

Knowledge & Experience 

• Experience (or interest in) working within the Charity Sector and an understanding of the principles of the donor pipeline and donor/supporter engagement. 

• Strong experience in copywriting, editing, and storytelling. 

• Experience producing print and digital publications, including designing in-house as well as working with third-party designers and suppliers where necessary. 

• Experience writing press releases and working with the media. 

• Understanding of audience segmentation and tailored messaging. 

• Knowledge of fundraising communications and storytelling best practices. 

• Experience using content management systems (e.g. WordPress). 

• Familiarity with digital advertising and email marketing platforms (Mailchimp). 

• Experience using CRM or supporter databases (Beacon preferred). 

Skills & Attributes 

• Exceptional written communication skills. 

• Experience of using Canva and/or Adobe Suite. 

• Ability to work to brand guidelines, producing aesthetically pleasing collateral and marketing materials. 

• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple projects. 

• Highly organised with the ability to multi-task. 

• Strong communication and relationship-building skills. 

• Ability to translate complex information into accessible and engaging content. 

• Excellent stakeholder engagement and relationship-building skills. 

• A strategic thinker who can see the bigger picture while managing day-to-day tasks. 

• A self-starter who can work independently and as part of a team. 

Our Communications Manager is taking maternity leave from mid-June and we are looking for someone to cover the role for approx 9 months.  We are a small team and this is the only communications role, therefore the Communications Manager has a lot to do, including:

• Running our whole comms operation – social media, website, event marketing, PR. 
• Developing and delivering our communications strategy
• Creating stories and content for different channels
• Working on communications projects with people with lived experience
• Working with our individual giving lead on fundraising campaigns

A major rebrand and a new name have helped us build our profile over the past three years, and we’re working hard to increase recognition and support further.  The stories of the people we work with are central to that, and it’s their voices, not the charity’s, that belong in the foreground. So a key part of the job is to build relationships with those people, and support them to tell their stories as they want to, empowering them and keeping them safe.  This means staying flexible, in the content and the work of gathering it.  In the immigration system and the lives of people going through it, it’s wise to expect the unexpected, so plans can change at short notice.  This is a special opportunity to work join a supportive, dynamic team delivering extraordinary work.

What we’re looking for

1.  ‘Must haves’:  we believe that the right person for this key role must bring with them:

• Experience – you have wide communications experience that enables you to cover the whole range of work that we need (see above)
• Independence – you are pro-active, well organised and can get things done on your own, with more guidance on aims than methods
• Collaboration – you can work well with colleagues, professionals and people with lived experience, and deliver great projects together
• Communication – your speaking and writing communicates clearly and powerfully
• Story-telling – you know how to create compelling content that tells stories of change and empowerment
• Understanding – you appreciate the purpose and complexity of our work
• Commitment – your practice fits our values of empowerment, co-creation, curiosity and respect
• Flexibility – you can adapt to sudden changes and vary your working hours sometimes, eg to work at evenings or weekends

2.  ‘Also haves’: if you also bring any of the following, they will be important for us:

• Work experience in a communications role in a charity or arts company – especially if it was a role like this in a small organisation
• Practical skills in one or more of: graphic design, photography, audio/video production, digital advertising
• Experience of working sensitively with people who have been through difficult experiences to tell their stories
• Experience of overseeing creative freelancers
• Experience of implementing and developing communications strategy
• Experience of careful messaging in a politically sensitive context
• Experience of using reporting & analytics tools
• Culture and language skills relevant to people in immigration settings

Lived experience and professional experience

Professional experience and lived experience are both valuable for this role.  We want to bring people with personal experience of immigration detention, or the asylum process, or immigration enforcement into our team, so if you have this kind of experience then we would really love to hear from you. We need you to bring the ‘must have’ qualities listed above, but do not require a conventional professional CV full of paid communications and marketing roles.  What we do need is someone who can help us deliver.  That means understanding the people we work with, and knowing how to deliver organisational communications that meet their needs.

If you have lots of professional experience, together with strong understanding of our kind of work and the needs we address, but not the personal experience specified above, then we would also love to hear from you.  We want people with all kinds of backgrounds and experience to apply for this job.  We very much encourage applications from people from culturally diverse backgrounds, disabled or neurodivergent applicants, and people of different ages, gender, sexual orientations and socio-economic backgrounds.

What we can offer you

We’re a specialist organisation working in a fraught environment that changes constantly.  We’re developing better ways to support everyone working for Hear Me Out.  So we will look to provide the right kind of offer to our new Communications Manager, tailored to their needs.  For example:

• The work can bring stress and distress to all of us, so we have ‘clinical supervision’ sessions and are developing other ways to offer care and support
• We can arrange mentoring for you, to support you in delivering the role
• We can arrange training, for example if there are specific skills you need to learn
• Hear Me Out is a friendly and collaborative team where we look out for each other
• We’ll be open to your ideas about what kind of support will help you the most

Terms & conditions

• Contract:  Temporary (9-month) contract, subject to a 3-month probationary period
• Location: The team meets at its office in central London on Wednesdays and works in a hybrid way the rest of the week.
• Hours:  Part-time position, 2.5 days (18.75 hours) per week (0.5 FTE)
• Salary:  £40,000 per year pro rata (ie £20,000), gross
• Annual leave:  36 days paid holiday leave per year pro rata (ie 18 days), including statutory bank holidays
• Sick pay:  25 days per year pro rata (ie 12.5 days) on full pay, followed by 25 days pro rata (ie 12.5 days) on half pay, followed by Statutory Sick Pay only
• Pension: 6% employer contribution to HMO’s selected Stakeholder pension scheme or to another scheme of the employee’s choice

To apply, you must download the job pack, check out the full details, and follow the instructions on how to apply.

This is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious self-starter who wants to be a part of a team that is working to take the charity to its next level of growth and development. We are looking for someone to join the Senior Leadership Team who will bring experience from their past successes and provide inspirational strategic leadership and direction to the fundraising and communications functions in support of our 5-year vision and charitable mission and objectives.

You will have a strong, successful track record of fundraising and/or other forms of income generating in the charity sector, including management, with proven experience in meeting financial and non-financial targets. You should be able to build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, corporate, major donors and other individuals. In addition, you should have a strong knowledge of marketing and communications principles and practice, digital marketing, and social media, and be confident in engaging audience sensitively with real-life stories to demonstrate impact and create a compelling case for support. 

If you have the skills, experience, drive and enthusiasm to join this well-established and successful charity and help us grow, we would like to hear from you as soon as possible.  FSW is based in Brighton and covers the whole of Sussex. For the first month the successful candidate would work from the central office but ultimately the role is hybrid with an expectation that while the Director will be in the office for at least two days a week, the remaining time can be worked remotely if desired. 

Closing date for applications is the 30th of April with interviews in Brighton on Monday 12 May. FSW uses a “blind” recruitment process which means all application forms are anonymised so we focus on your actual skills that are relevant to this role. This benefits you by giving you a greater chance of expressing your skills in this objective selection process therefore we are unable to accept CVs.

The Programme Officer (Research) will play an integral role in the Impact team within the broader Directorate of Impact and External Affairs. This is a pivotal time for Fight for Sight as we begin to implement our Impact Framework enabling us to communicate the impact of our extensive portfolio of current and past funded research projects to our internal and external audiences.

The role is diverse and varied, offering the successful candidate the opportunity to build their exposure to a complement of research management activities. In addition to assisting with the implementation of the Impact Framework they will be instrumental in the delivery of our grant funding processes and will have the opportunity to work closely with our Research Grant Assessment Panel and key partners to ensure we achieve the exciting ambitions laid out in our Research Strategy.

How to Apply: Please submit your CV and a cover letter / supporting statement of no more than two pages which evidences the specification. You must also answer the vetting questions via the application portal.

Closing date for applications: 9am Monday, 28th April 2025

Interview dates: likely week commencing 12th May 2025 (TBC)

Role Responsibilities
Grant-making activities

• Efficiently and effectively managing multiple annual grant award cycles taking responsibility for peer review processes and Panel meetings.
• Ensuring that grant making processes are delivered in accordance with AMRC best practice.
• Courteous and timely management of queries from applicants and other key stakeholders, such as RGAP members.
• Contributing and developing process improvements where necessary to continue to evolve our programme.
• Assist with the preparation of papers to support our decision-making processes including supporting our Research Grants Assessment Panel (RGAP) by ensuring they have all relevant information and that the meetings run smoothly.
• Ensure that formal decisions and outcomes are shared with relevant stakeholders, including applicants and internal colleagues.

Team and Organisation

• Take responsibility for keeping accurate and up to date records ensuring that these are readily and clearly accessible, primarily through CC Grant Tracker and Monday
• Be the first port of call for colleagues with queries related to our research portfolio, including providing support on donor-queries and funding applications.
• Highlighting opportunities for stories of impact with communications colleagues.
• Supporting with the collection and interpretation of impact-related measurements as we implement our impact framework.
• Assist with ad hoc tasks as required for example developing briefing documents, the organisation and delivery of in person and online meetings and events, minuting etc.

Person specification

Skills, knowledge & experience

Essential

• Biomedical science/ related degree or equivalent experience.
• Understanding of and commitment to the importance of high-quality vision research in the UK.
• Ability to analyse and summarise complex information drawing out key points.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to convey complex, scientific information to wide range of audiences.
• Ability to effectively prioritise and manage a varied workload.
• Proficient in the use of standard IT packages including Microsoft Office suite.

Desirable

• Postgraduate degree
• Experience of working in a research or grant making organisation.
• Experience using research and project management tools such as Monday and the online grant management system Symplectic Grant Tracker.

Personal qualities

• Team player with a flexible approach to delivering organisational priorities.
• Organised, able to manage multiple ongoing tasks.
• Good attention to detail.
• Open minded and willing to take on board new concepts.
• Capable and curious, able to learn new processes and suggest ongoing improvements.
• Credible able to represent the organisation externally.
• Approachable and able to build relationships and work collaboratively with key internal and external stakeholders.

Other information: please see the attached job description for full details on working with us and how to apply.

Hybrid - within commuting distance of Beckenham or Peckham

About us

The National Institute of Teaching boosts the quality of teaching and school leadership by carrying out research, applying the insights to its professional development programmes, and sharing findings with the sector. 

Our programmes are designed by teachers and leaders who understand the joys and pressures of school life. We work in collaboration with schools across the country, ensuring that our findings benefit all schools, teachers and leaders.

We are seeking a motivated and enthusiastic PR and Policy Manager to join our national Partnerships team. The Partnerships team are responsible for the marketing, communication and recruitment of all our programmes nationally, as well as developing our brand, story and sharing our research. 

About the role

The Public Relations and Policy Manager is not just a role; it's a mission. As the champion of our organisation's voice, you will be the architect of our public image and the strategist behind our policy influence. Your expertise in media relations, stakeholder engagement, and policy analysis will be the cornerstone of our efforts to elevate our brand and shape the conversations that matter.  You will be eager to engage with education/government networks to advance the public profile and policy influence of the NIoT.

In this pivotal role, you will craft compelling narratives that resonate with our audiences and advocate for policies that align with our values. You will navigate the complex landscape of education policy, harnessing the power of the press and digital platforms to amplify our message and drive change. 

Your strategic vision will guide our public relations campaigns, ensuring they are not only innovative and impactful but also deeply integrated with our overarching mission.

This position offers the unique opportunity to make a tangible impact on our profession and society. We are looking for someone who is not only a skilled communicator but also a passionate advocate for our cause. If you are ready to take on this challenge and make a difference, we would be excited to welcome you to our team.

This is a hybrid role, and it is anticipated that the postholder will work on campus one day per fortnight. We offer flexible working and would consider part-time hours for the right candidate. 

Main Duties & Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement comprehensive public relations strategies that align with organisational goals
• Manage media relations, including writing press releases, pitching stories, and cultivating relationships with journalists
• Monitor and analyse policy developments relevant to the organization, providing insightful reports and recommendations
• Manage our stakeholder relationships 
• Collaborate with the marketing team to ensure consistent messaging across all platforms
• Organise and manage corporate events 
• Prepare briefings and communications materials for our leadership team
• Respond to communication-related issues in a timely and professional manner
• Manage the organisation’s alumni strategy.

Key benefits:

• Highly competitive pay and pay progression opportunities.
• Flexible start and end working times.
• Flexible working opportunities, including significant scope for hybrid working.
• At least 27 days’ holiday a year (plus 8 bank holidays) rising to 33 days after five years’ service (with an annual discretionary office shutdown between Christmas and New Year).
• Entry to the highly valued Local Government Pension Scheme
• Excellent opportunities to develop your skills and experience and to progress your career.
• A stimulating, supportive and rewarding working environment with a dedicated team of likeminded professionals.

For more information and to apply, please visit our vacancies page.

Closing date: 23:59 on 20 April 2025.

This post requires a satisfactory enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) with a Children’s Barred List Check and Occupational Health Check is required as a condition of employment.

Stories Officer
c. £32,000 per annum
Permanent, London, Hybrid 2days/week

The Talent Set is thrilled to be partnering with Versus Arthritis as they recruit for a Stories Officer, a pivotal role in bringing the charity’s mission to life. This role is dedicated to gathering and sharing powerful stories that highlight both the charity’s impact and the lived experiences of people with arthritis.

As a skilled storyteller, you will craft compelling case studies that enhance Versus Arthritis’ brand, marketing, and communications across owned and earned channels, driving awareness, conversation, and engagement. Working closely with teams across the organisation, you will identify and develop inspiring stories that align with the organisational strategy and campaigns, empowering colleagues to connect with and motivate audiences.

You will also be responsible for maintaining and regularly updating the stories centre in line with data and compliance processes, ensuring stories remain a powerful and ethical tool for advocacy and engagement.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct in-person and virtual interviews with key audiences to capture credible, high-quality stories that support the charity’s organisational strategy and campaigns.
• Take ownership of the maintenance, security, and growth of the Stories Centre, ensuring all content is accurate, up to date, and aligned with compliance processes.
• Work closely with colleagues to source and gather stories from underserved audiences, ensuring diverse representation across the charity’s communications.
• Develop and manage relationships with individuals sharing their testimonials and case studies, ensuring they feel supported and informed about how their stories will be used.
• Become an expert in consent, safeguarding, and ethical representation, ensuring all personal stories are shared with sensitivity, transparency, and respect for contributors.
• Use audience data and past performance learnings to shape storytelling content, ensuring it evolves in line with the charity’s brand story and strategic goals.

Person Specification:

• Proven ability to gather, craft, and present compelling, high-quality narratives that resonate with diverse audiences across multiple platforms.
• Experience in developing and maintaining relationships with individuals providing testimonials, as well as collaborating effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to use audience insights, performance data, and industry trends to shape storytelling approaches, ensuring maximum impact and alignment with organisational strategy.
• Experience managing content archives, ensuring accuracy, security, and compliance with data protection and consent policies.
• A proactive approach to innovation in storytelling, continuously exploring new methods and formats to engage key audiences, including the media.

We highly encourage you to submit your CV as soon as possible to be considered for this exciting opportunity as interviews are taking place on a rolling basis. 

We are committed to diverse and inclusive recruitment practises that ensure equal opportunity for everyone, regardless of race, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, age or gender. We encourage applications from all backgrounds and will happily make reasonable adjustments to always ensure a fair process.

The Institute of Imagination (iOi) is seeking a proactive and organised Programme Manager with excellent communication skills to join our Experience and Learning team. You will play a key role in planning, delivery, and evaluation of impactful programmes that support children’s creativity and learning. 

This role involves designing and delivering high-quality experiences for families, children, and educators, as well as building sustainable partnerships with schools, communities, and corporate partners. You’ll be instrumental in shaping our CPD programme for teachers and helping bring playful, meaningful learning to life.

Welcome to the iOi, where we believe imagination is the superpower of the 21st Century. We collaborate with children, parents, teachers, academics, and community leaders on research and designing and delivering creative learning experiences across STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics).

Our mission focuses on supporting children from underserved communities by breaking down barriers, empowering their voices, and giving them access to transformative opportunities and essential skills for whatever their future holds. We believe every child can imagine and achieve their fullest potential.

Key Responsibilities

• Power of Play Programme:
  • Support the co-design and delivery of this innovative LEGO Foundation-funded programme, encouraging caregivers to engage in meaningful learning through play with their children.
  • Collaborate with three key primary schools and their teaching staff to connect with caregivers and children. 
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets to ensure families can access wider support and opportunities.
  • Deliver fun, hands-on workshops for children and caregivers, promoting a playful learning environment.
  • Capture and evaluate programme impact using stories, participant feedback, and evidence-based methods.
• Creative Sparks educator professional development programme:
  • Lead the management and development of this new educator-focused CPD programme as it enters its second year.
  • Develop and execute strategies for recruiting teachers to sign up for the programme, ensuring diverse participation.
  • Support the ongoing development of ImagineED, our online training platform, using user feedback and research to ensure it relevance and accessibility.
  • Monitor and evaluate impact, demonstrating the value of the programme to teachers and schools. 
• Programme Development and Partnerships:
  • Contribute to the design and delivery of the new programmes and events, such as a new Imagination Festival and bespoke projects.
  • Support funding proposals and reporting through the provision of data, impact stories, and insights. 
  • Build and maintain partnerships with community organisations and businesses, helping to secure meaningful opportunities for participating children.
  • Support volunteer recruitment, training, and management. 
• Organisational Culture:
  • Uphold and model the iOi’s values in all areas of work.
  • Contribute to a positive, inclusoive, and collaborative team culture.

Person Specification

Essential Skills and Experience:

• Proven experience in programme or project management, ideally in education, or the creative learning sector.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders.
• Experience delivering workshops or training to diverse audiences including children, parents, and educators.
• Strong understanding of user-centred design and programme evaluation methods.
• Ability to work independently and as collaboratively within a team.
• Highly organised, with good time management and multitasking abilities.
• Competent in using digital tools including Microsoft Office, Monday, and Miro. 

Desirable Skills and Experience:

• Experience in developing or managing online learning resources or platforms.
• Knowledge or experience working in local boroughs like Tower Hamlets.
• Awareness of current trends in STEAM education and creative learning.
• Experience in planning and delivering events.
• Awareness of safeguarding and health and safety procedures when working with children. 

Contract: Fixed-term contract until December 2025, with the possibility of extension. Part-time, 21 hours per week.

Location: London - Stratford office and remote/home working (hybrid) 

Reporting to: Head of Experience 

Salary: £32,000 per annum FTE / £19,500 per year (pro rata)

How To Apply:

Please submit your CV and a cover letter or video detailing your relevant experience and why you’re interested in this role. We welcome applications from diverse backgrounds. We encourage you to include examples of relevant projects you’ve managed and your experience working with similar audiences.

Dear Applicant, 

The opportunity

We are looking for a talented and enthusiastic communications professional to help us build on our communications effort. The main aim of our communications work is to support our fundraising drive. The core focus of the role is to help our supporters feel part of a movement that is funding cutting edge neurological research. 

We enjoy a solid base of support with c26,000 engaged individuals across a range of audience segments including cash donors (c3,000), regular givers (c4,000), events and community (c3,000), patients and our wider non-donor community (c16,000). Our primary communications channels are our website, Facebook, Instagram and via email. 

We are looking to put renewed energy behind our communications work and seeking to maximise our digital engagement. This includes both promoting fundraising opportunities and using social channels as a means of interacting with, and taking queries from, supporters and the wider public. 

Our work in fundraising is designed to maximise funds needed for research to help the one in six of us that has a neurological condition. 

Why join us? 

We are heading into the final year of our current strategy, 2023-2026. This has been developed with growth in mind. We are scaling up some of our fundraising activities following successful tests. We have a lean and dedicated team that are very focussed on maximising income and ensuring a rewarding experience for all supporters. This role is a key part of that approach.

We are aiming to optimise all our digital communications to make a meaningful connection with all our current audiences and the wider public. This means creating regular, interesting content that stands out in a crowded market and motivates people to want to take action. The primary aim of our communications work is to inspire people to either give donations or raise money on our behalf. 

We are looking for someone to build up and maintain our library of inspiring stories – including written format, film and images - to showcase impact, share people’s experiences and inspire others to tell their own story and/or support our work.

The role requires an individual who is proactive, happy to get “hands on” and is keen to use their communications skills to support our fundraising effort. 

If successful in securing this role, you will find yourself in a small but dynamic environment with a flat structure where decisions are taken quickly. The role reports to the Director of Fundraising (currently being covered by a trusted interim with lots of fundraising and comms experience). 

I use my role as CEO to champion fundraising and communications and ensure that we maintain our current focus on building our strengths and ensuring that supporters feel valued and recognised. We are a collaborative team with a positive culture that has a fundraising ethos at its heart. There is scope to experiment, and to grow in the role. Our interim director is extremely experienced and will provide support and mentoring as required. 

This is an exciting, growth opportunity and I look forward to hearing from you. 

To apply, please submit your CV and a cover letter of no more than two pages stating why you would like to work for Brain Research UK and why you believe you are well suited to the role. Deadline: 5pm Monday 7th April 2025.

Caroline Blakely 

CEO 

Job purpose

This is an excellent opportunity for a communications professional to make their mark. The existing communication programme provides a good base on which to build, and there is plenty of scope to shape things and try new approaches under the guidance of the Interim Director. With support from the CEO and wider colleagues there is significant opportunity for success. 

We are seeking a communications professional to:

·Work with our fundraising team to optimise our digital communications, ensuring content is always engaging, up to date and accessible across all channels

·Liaise with a range of colleagues and relationship owners to secure and manage supporter stories 

·Manage our story library, including permissions and all related images, and ensure we have a spread of stories across the three main focus areas of brain tumours, acquired brain injury and headache and facial pain

·Work with our fundraising team to ensure we build on our segmented approach to quarterly enews and deliver tailored content based on supporter interests 

·Liaise with our Research Manager to showcase the research we are funding and the scientists leading on the projects funded

·Act as content manager across our website, leading on updates in written, pictorial and video format

We are a small team and we are seeking someone who is both able to plan and manage day-to-day activity and roll their sleeves up and get the job done. 

Key responsibilities:

Management

• Deliver against our communications objectives via a mix of channels and report on progress using a range of analytics and metrics 
• Collaborate proactively across the organisation to find, develop and share stories that will inspire support
• Be a positive, empathetic team player that engages with all other colleagues across our organisation

Communications

• Work with colleagues to create a pre-planned, agreed schedule of activity that will enable a coherent and consistent approach to comms across all channels
• Coordinate and develop content for our social media channels including sourcing and producing engaging content in line with 
• Coordinate and develop content for our e-news which is sent out quarterly to our supporter base
• Manage our website content ensuring it remains up to date and relevant

·Alongside our fundraisers, to engage with and respond to our online community to ensure they feel engaged and receive response to any enquiries in a timely manner

·Track digital marketing performance using tools like Google Analytics, monitoring key metrics to drive continuous improvement in outcomes 

·Work across the organisation to engage our audience to tell their stories - both in relation to experience of neurological conditions and in relation to fundraising activities

·Work with third party agencies where appropriate, including setting of clear objectives, providing briefings and collating metrics / outcome measures

·To coordinate corporate communications tasks such as publication of our annual review and impact report 

Other duties

•To develop an in-depth knowledge of our work so you can speak with confidence to our audiences about how funds are used

•Effective use of our CRM system (Donorfy) 

•To support all fundraising and charitable activities across the organisation as required

•Other administrative tasks as required

Person specification 

Experience

We are seeking a communications professional who is looking to thrive in a charity with an embedded fundraising culture, ambition to grow and solid backing from the CEO and trustees.

Applicants must have:

• Experience of working in communications in a charity of comparable size 
• Experience of coordinating and developing social content and utilising a planning schedule to managed delivery
• Experience of coordinating and developing e-comms to maximise loyalty and engagement 
• Familiarity with website content management

·An understanding of the key principles of managing an online community including how to handle queries and build engagement 

Skills

Applicants must have the following skills:

·Comfort with analytical tools to track digital marketing performance and report on outcomes

·Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to work effectively with 

·An understanding of how medical conditions can impact peoples’ lives and the emotional intelligence to handle interactions with these people sensitively

·Good writing skills and a proven ability to take briefings and use these to draft appropriate written content

·A solid understanding of using film and video for use on websites, social media and other communications channels

·Great interpersonal skills and proficiency with building constructive relationships with a diverse range of people

·Time management – ability to work under pressure, plan and prioritise work effectively and meet deadlines

·Attention to detail – you must be able to consistently produce accurate work

·IT literacy – you must be proficient in Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint

Knowledge

·Knowledge of fundraising and communications, including the main trends and developments

• Knowledge of a range of communications tools such as website content management systems, social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook. TikTok etc.) and e-marketing tools (e.g. Mailchimp / DotDigital)

·Knowledge and understanding of the charity sector 

Vision, Mission and Values

Our vision

·Our vision is a world where everyone with a neurological condition lives better, longer.

Culture and values

Our purpose

·To fund essential research to discover the causes, develop new treatments and improve the lives of those affected by neurological conditions.

Our promise

·We will improve the lives of those affected by one of hundreds of neurological conditions through the funding of essential research and accelerating its progress. We will encourage the brain research community to accelerate progress by sharing knowledge and nurturing future talent.

Our values

·Unity - We believe that we are stronger when we bring people together to work collectively.

·Humanity – We link the brain research we fund to its human impact, by sharing 

real-life stories. We translate our research into words that everyone can easily understand.

·Positive energy – Active. Courageous. Resolute. We are determined to accelerate the progress of brain research. 

Our values shape our culture. They help guide our decisions at every level. They define how we work, every day. We are forward thinking and collaborative.

The Media and Communications Officer leads our day-to-day media work, and supports our major media partnerships and large communications campaigns.This vital work helps us raise the profile of the organisation, build the charity’s reputation as the leading expert on bowel cancer and ultimately reach more people affected by the disease.

You’ll liaise with the media on a daily basis, responding to enquiries, building relationships and researching stories to secure coverage with impact for the charity. You’ll also play a lead role in building up our bank of real-life stories. You’ll talk to supporters and members of the bowel cancer community who are willing to share their experience, and capture their stories for use in our media work.

SENIOR COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER 

Reports To:     Communications Manager
Hours: Full Time (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week)
Location: The Frances Hay Centre, Banbury (Hybrid Options Available)
Salary:  £32,000 per annum 

We’re Dogs for Good. We bring people and dogs together to help make everyday life possible. As part of our ambitious five-year strategy to support over 4,000 people a year by 2028, we’re expanding our Marketing and Communications Team and looking for a Senior Communications Officer to help share our impact.

This role will ensure our stories and impact are understood, celebrated and championed by all our stakeholders across multiple channels. You’ll be an excellent communicator with strong organisational skills, understanding of all aspects of internal and external comms, a passion for storytelling, and the ability to engage diverse audiences.

If you’d like to join our small but ambitious marketing and communications team, we’d love to hear from you.

If you are interested in applying for the role, please visit the 'Current Vacancies' page on the Dogs for Good website, where full application instructions can be found.  Please note we can only accept applications when accompanied by a completed Dogs for Good Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form.

The closing date for applications is 9am on Tuesday 22 April 2025. 

First interviews will be held on Thursday 8 May 2025.

We are seeking someone with a mix of skills: an individual with proven community fundraising experience, excellent relationship-building abilities and a crafter of persuasive and powerful content that resonates with a variety of stakeholders.

You’ll be joining Brigstowe at an exciting time as we aim to build on the fundraising growth and development from recent years. Can you help us to deliver compelling communications while moving our income generation to the next level? 

Your role 

You’ll be securing financial support for Brigstowe from individuals while simultaneously raising its profile among stakeholders through strategic communications and marketing efforts. This work includes:   

1. Building relationships with community groups and corporate organisations, managing individual giving through the ‘Friends of Brigstowe’ programme, organising fundraising events and providing supporter care.  

2. Developing and implementing marketing/comms strategies to promote Brigstowe’s work, producing branded materials (newsletters, reports, blogs, videos), overseeing our website and social media presence, and handling media relations.  

About you 

You’ll have a proven track record in community fundraising, with a good understanding of stewardship that converts supporters into champions.

Creative and proactive, your previous marketing and PR expertise will bring compelling stories to life across various platforms, enabling us to connect with a diverse range of stakeholders. You’ll be someone who networks comfortably and spots opportunities others might miss. You’ll be resilient, self-motivated, and be meticulous with a strong eye for detail and fantastic planning skills. 

You’ll be someone who can commit to working within Brigstowe’s service delivery ethos of respect, empowerment and inclusion. 

About us 

Brigstowe supports anyone living with or affected by HIV in Bristol and the surrounding areas. We offer a comprehensive and holistic range of services including advice and support, a peer support group and peer mentoring. 

We pride ourselves on treating our clients with respect and dignity, with the highest regard for confidentiality. We work hard to ensure that our award-winning services are accessible, person-centred, non-judgemental, professional and of a high quality at all times. 

As well as joining a collaborative, supportive, motivated and dynamic team, you will receive:  

• 26 days holiday per year plus bank holidays (pro rata) 

• 6% pension contribution    

• Ongoing training and development opportunities   

• Regular one-to-one supervision 

• Flexible/remote working options available on discussion with line manager (some office working is required) 

• Cycle to work scheme

Closing date:   Midday Wednesday April 30th

Interview date:   Wednesday May 7th at The Old Coop, Ground Floor, 40-42 Chelsea Rd, Bristol, BS5 6AF  

How to Apply:   

Please fill in the Application Form outlining your reasons for applying and how your skills and experience fit the person specification. All applications will be scored using the person specification and therefore applicants who provide clear examples to evidence their skills and experience are more likely to be offered an interview.   Brigstowe values the experience and diversity of individuals and therefore invites you to also use general life experience when evidencing your abilities and experience against the person specification. 

Please also complete our Required Information Form and Equal Opportunities Form. 

If you would like more information on this role, please see our website.

Brigstowe is committed to reducing inequality, valuing diversity and enabling inclusion.  We welcome applicants with the appropriate skills of any background or identity, or those identifying as having a disability.    We seek a diverse workforce which is representative of the clients we serve, and we strongly encourage applications from people of African or Caribbean heritage as they are currently under-represented in our staff team. We also encourage applications from people living with HIV.  Any applicants who let us know that they are from either of these two groups and who meet the essential criteria in the person specification will automatically be invited to interview.  

To amplify CSE's mission and impact through compelling storytelling across digital channels. This role will create engaging visual content (with a focus on video) to transform complex information into accessible and engaging stories. You'll support our social media presence, develop website content that resonates with audiences, and strengthen both internal and external communications. Using your creative talents alongside analytical skills in SEO and GA4, you'll enhance our digital presence while ensuring our work reaches and inspires our wide-ranging audiences.

Pay and conditions

• The role is full-time (37.5 hours per week).
• The salary for the role will be £25,750 – £29,147 per year (starting salary will depend on skills and experience).
• You will be entitled to 25 days paid holiday (plus statutory holidays).

CSE offer a range of benefits including, subsidised bike purchase and Tech Scheme, Life Assurance, Health Cash plan, retail discounts and discounted breakdown cover and many more.

We will pay fees and expenses on relevant training courses.

Specific responsibilities

An applicant appointed to the role will be expected to:

• Be responsible for curating CSE's social media content calendar. With support from digital comms manager, produce engaging content and ensure CSE’s social channels reflect our strategic goals.
• Create engaging multimedia digital content for websites, social media and our e-newsletter including written copy (blogs, news stories, content pages), video, and graphics using Canva and Adobe Creative Cloud.
• Lead on producing video content to promote CSE’s work, including planning, filming, and editing content using Premier Pro.
• Maintain CSE’s video library, including our internal folders, processes, and YouTube channel.
• Support the Senior Communications and Brand Manager to develop CSE’s suite of branded content. This includes creating branded templates for colleagues to use as well as designing digital and print materials for projects.
• With support from the wider comms team, ensure our online presence including website, social media, email marketing and digital advertising reflects strategic goals.
• Support the day-to-day management of CSE’s website, including uploading and editing content.
• Support the digital communications manager with digital channel optimisation including PPC, SEO, social media (paid and organic) as well as re-designing pages to enhance user experience (UX).
• Commission external videographers and photographers when appropriate, dictated by project and business needs.
• Responsible for producing CSE’s monthly e-news with support from the comms team to ensure CSE’s key work is promoted to external stakeholders.
• Regularly track digital metrics and analyse performance data to optimise messaging and strategies and responsibility for monthly reporting.

To see a more detailed list of responsibilities please see the supporting documents attached. These documents are also available to download from our website.

Essential attributes for this role include:

• Minimum Maths and English GCSE or equivalent.
• 3- 5 years’ experience in communications, marketing, PR, or related field.
• Excellent copywriting and editing abilities.
• Proficient with CMS platforms, email marketing and social media management tools.
• Ability to create multimedia content, including high quality short videos.
• Experience planning, designing, and creating engaging visual content, both in print and online. Such as flyers, posters, graphics, and videos.
• Experience using design tools like Canva and Adobe Creative Suite.
• Experience of using GA4 or other online data and evaluation tools to inform and support digital initiatives.
• Experience using social media to create a variety of content for a wide range of topics and audiences and engage with communities or individuals.
• Experience influencing and building positive relationships with internal stakeholders.
• Experience working with brand and style guidelines and ability to adapt content to fit.

Please note, the above is an overview of the skills required for this role. To see the full list of essential and desirable skills please see the attached job description.

How to apply

To apply, please download and complete the application form available from our website. Your application should demonstrate your suitability for the role against the criteria outlined in the person specification.

The closing date for applications is 5pm on Wednesday 23rd April 2025.

Interviews are expected to take place Tuesday 13th May 2025, though this is subject to change.  

If invited to interview, we will ask you to provide evidence of eligibility to work in the UK.