Media and PR Manager

MOTABILITY; Harlow; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading disability charity is seeking a Media and PR professional to lead its media activities, develop PR strategies, and manage the press office. The ideal candidate will have experience securing media coverage, excellent writing skills, and the ability to develop strong media relationships. This role is critical in raising awareness of the charity's work and requires a proactive approach within a supportive team.

Qualifications

• Strong track record of securing high profile media coverage.
• Experience of working with journalists and media outlets.
• Ability to develop media and PR strategies.

Responsibilities

• Implement and manage proactive PR activity.
• Act as the main point of contact for all media activities.
• Develop relationships with key media outlets.

Skills

Media and PR expertise

Excellent communication skills

Project management

Strong news sense

Crisis communications

Copy-writing skills

Relationship building

Job description

Location: Harlow Essex. We offer blended working within this role – with a minimum of two days a week in the office or at key stakeholder meetings externally required.

Reports to: Head of Media and PR.

Direct reports:PR & Media Executive

About the role

The Motability Foundation is looking for a confident, driven media and PR professional to join the Communications team and lead our media and PR activity.

This a really exciting time to be joining the Foundation as we embark on our new strategy in 2025. With a recently refreshed new brand, our vision is clear, we want to help disabled people make the journeys they choose. This role will play a crucial part in our work to raise awareness of the work of the Motability Foundation and amplify the voices of disabled people across the media.

This role will take a lead on all media and PR activities. With a strong news sense, you will help develop and execute forward-thinking PR plans and strategies for the organisation, manage our external profile and raise awareness of the work we do, aligned to our vision, and manage our press office, including building strong relationships with journalists.

If you are a proactive and motivated media and PR individual looking for an exciting new challenge within a friendly, flexible, and supportiveteam, then this could be the role for you!

What you will be doing:

• Implement and manage a comprehensive and proactive PR activity schedule for the Foundation, crafting compelling content to entice journalists and the media to feature and support our work.
• Act as the main point of contact for all media and press activity. You will oversee the day-to-day running of the Motability Foundation press office, providing an efficient service that makes the most of reactive and proactive media opportunities and builds our reputation with the media.
• Develop and foster strong relationships with key media outlets in the sector and journalists, broadcasters and editors to secure coverage that helps to influence key decision makers and engage our audiences in our work.
• Scan effectively for breaking news stories relevant to our areas of work, as well as horizon scanning for potential areas of future coverage.
• Produce press releases, and secure coverage using media, surveys and polls.
• Working with colleagues in Public Affairs, Policy, Insight and Evaluation and our Transport Solutions Team, take a lead on proactive media activity around our policy, campaigns and research activity.
• You will work closely with our Stories and Content Executive to ensure we have the right stories for use in media work.
• Scan for areas of reputational risk and support the Head of Media and PR with preparing for and handling reputational risk.
• Lead on crisis, media enquiries and messaging, implementing the necessary checks and actions to protect the Foundation’s reputation and brand.
• Develop and deliver a briefing and training programme for key spokespeople, developing key messaging and Q&As.
• Analyse and report on media activity for internal teams, external partners and our board, including leading on relevant reports to committees.
• Manage the press and PR budget.
• Manage the continuous development of our PR & Media Executive using a mixture of external, internal and on the job training.

What will make you great in this role?

You will have a strong track record of securing high profile media coverage, ideally for a national charity dealing in disability, health or social issues. You will have a great news sense and the ability to develop strong relationships with journalists to confidently identify stories and make them work for different media outlets. You will have a flair for writing engaging copy, an eye for detail and an unwavering commitment to meeting deadlines. You can work at pace where needed and identify priorities and manage multiple projects. You will be used to briefing and supporting spokespeople to do media interviews and speaking opportunities.

You will be proactive and a strong team player as this role will need to work closely with colleagues across the communications team and wider organisation. You will be able to take the lead in some areas and lend a hand in others. You will have great people skills and will be comfortable working with people from all walks of life, from your communications colleagues to our case studies to Directors and Board Members.

Your experience:

• Expertise in media and PR.
• A strategic thinker with excellent project management and communication skills.
• Experience of working with journalists and media outlets, generating and securing strong relevant media coverage.
• Excellent news sense with extensive experience of producing effective and quick reactive news lines for breaking stories.
• The ability to develop excellent long-term media and PR strategies to deliver organisational objectives aligned to our vision.
• Strong judgement and experience of crisis communications.
• Excellent copy-writing skills and ability to influence.
• Experience of line management.
• Experience working in the non-profit or disability sector would be an advantage, but not essential.