Senior Communications Manager - Policy and Campaig...

The Senior Manager and their teams also use their expertise to support our Fundraising, Marketing and Policy Departments in achieving their ambitions.

It is a creative, challenging and rewarding role, providing policy and organisational knowledge and communications insight to shape much of the charity’s high profile public-facing activity.

Main duties and responsibilities of the role:

· Leadership of the Policy Communications and Campaigns and Projects teams, line managing two Managers and a team of around 5 people.

· Delivery of operational plan and the day-to-day budgeting, ensuring that the team operates cost effectively in meeting its objectives.

· Overseeing ARUK media and communications activities including planning ARUK-led PR launches and campaigns, developing creative multi-channel content to showcase ARUK’s work, developing and optimising messages according to audience and task, and creating high impact opportunities to reach the public, decision makers and donors.

· Developing a full understanding of the news agenda around the issue of dementia and devising strategies to influence and lead this agenda and its conversations.

· Responsible for news desk and managing on call media cover, with matrix management of colleagues

· Responsible for updating PR key messages and media training of key spokespeople.

· Responsible for collating and analysing PR metrics to inform future approaches.

· Working with all managers, in particular the Senior Strategic Comms Manager, the Senior Science Comms Manager, across the wider Communications Dept to ensure coordination of activity, ongoing Department culture and development of new working practices.

· Representation of ARUK through media work up to national level.

· Representation of ARUK at project boards, working groups and chairing meetings, as appropriate.

Policy Communications

· Work with the Head of Policy and Public Affairs to develop a strategic approach to engaging decision makers, and ensuring an influential programme of proactive comms activity that positions ARUK in the media on key policy issues.

· Horizon scanning and monitoring of the latest policy and political developments relating to ARUK and its work, and identifying processes to commission content and pitches that drive proactive PR.

Campaigns and Projects

· Working with the Communications Manager (Campaigns and Projects) to lead the development of the Think Brain Health check in tool; through optimising existing marketing and communications opportunities to maximise engagement and build public awareness of Brain Health

· Responsible for stakeholder management across internal colleagues, and funder engagement around key external partnerships (e.g. John West, Tiltify).

· Responsible for optimising ARUK’s biannual Dementia Attitudes Monitor, and identifying communications campaigns and opportunities to influence public attitudes towards dementia

What we are looking for:

· Experience leading, developing and line managing a team

· Experience working in a campaigns, policy or behaviour change communications role in a national organisation

· Strong experience in communications – including planning and developing compelling content and reaching audiences with creative communications and campaigns

· A track record of developing and implementing effective communications campaigns and extensive project management experience

· Understanding of communications planning and strategy

· Creative flair, strong editorial sense (esp for digital content) with an eye for detail, compelling copy and engaging ideas – able to spot opportunities and develop them for the benefit of ARUK and its beneficiaries

· In-tune with scientific progress, politics and the policy agenda, as well as an understanding of consumer preferences and creative communications

· Excellent journalistic skills and an understanding of how to influence and use the media. You will understand the motivations of journalists, and have significant experience of building excellent relationships with journalists and landing coverage on specific issues for an organisation

· Strong team player with positive leadership skills and an ability to inspire and drive the performance of a diverse team with both short and long term strategic vision.

· Excellent organisation and prioritisation skills with the ability to manage a large number of tasks to multiple deadlines and to oversee a large and multi-skilled team responsible for a range of outputs.

· Exceptional people skills and the ability to communicate to a variety of stakeholders, including senior staff and volunteers, the media at all levels, government, industry and families affected by dementia.

· A confident and friendly manner; would feel at ease representing the charity to a range of audiences to the highest level at conferences and in the media.

· Strong accountability, negotiation and decision-making skills and clearly communicating the reasons for these decisions with colleagues.

· Excellent listening skills, receptive to feedback and demonstrates flexibility, curiosity and an ability to learn.

· Strong team player who can work both independently and collaboratively with intelligence, drive and initiative to identify new opportunities and areas of strategic growth.

· An eye for detail, able to write compelling accurate content for a variety of policy outputs

· Ability to spot opportunities and develop them for the benefit of ARUK and its beneficiaries.

· Ability to explain complex information to all stakeholders

· Demonstrates and encourages ownership and responsibility; builds drive and motivation in others – has a ‘can-do’ attitude and is committed to delivering results, and strives for continuous improvement

· Strong ethical standards and a high level of personal integrity.

· Willingness and ability to travel independently in the UK and beyond, to work outside of regular office hours.

Additional Information:

Ways of working: As part of our Agile ways of working you will be required to work approximately 2 days a week from the office, which is subject to the requirements of the role and the business needs. Flexibility on where you work can be split between working from home and our office.

Roles that are classed as part of the Agile ways of working are not able to claim any costs for Mileage/Travel on Public Transport, Accommodation and/or Meals.  This includes when attending the office for various meetings/events.

Salary: Circa £53,000 per annum, plus benefits

Please download the Vacancy Pack on our website for more information.

Please indicate in your covering letter if you are unable to attend an interview on a certain date.

We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential.  We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under-represented.  Any offer of employment is however subject to you having the right to work in the UK.

Should you need any adjustments at either the application or interview stage, then please contact us via our website. 

How to apply: Please create an online account using our Online Recruitment Platform which can be accessed through our Job Vacancies page. You will be able to attach your CV to your application and track the status of your application.

But there is hope. 

For the first time in history, we can see a future where people with dementia can get a swift and accurate diagnosis, and effective treatments that could slow or even stop their disease. We stand for everyone affected by dementia. We stand for a cure. 

In 2022, we were incredibly proud to be awarded a 3-star accreditation by Best Companies which recognises ‘World Class’ levels of workplace engagement and were also listed in the prestigious Best Companies lists:

• 48th in the 100 Best Large Companies to Work For in the UK.

• 19th in the 100 Best Companies to Work For in the East of England.

• 3rd in the 50 Best Companies to Work For in the Charity Sector.

In addition, we were also shortlisted for a special award recognising the work undertaken on reducing our environmental impact.

In 2021, we were awarded the HR Management award by The Charity Times for our Wellbeing initiatives throughout the pandemic.

To view further details about working for us and the benefits we offer, please visit Alzheimer’s Research UK