Senior PR Officer

Sense; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Sense is seeking an experienced Senior PR Officer to join our media and campaigns team in London. This permanent, full-time role is hybrid, with 2-3 days in the King's Cross office. You will lead the press office, secure national and regional coverage, and shape PR plans across campaigns and events.

You’ll brief spokespeople, train colleagues, and collaborate with policy, digital engagement and brand teams to maximise impact, while monitoring coverage and adapting stories to the news agenda.

Qualifications

• Substantial experience in PR, communications or journalism.
• Strong track record of securing high-profile national and regional media coverage.
• Experience developing and delivering successful PR campaigns.
• Confidence pitching proactively and building media relationships.
• Ability to write engaging copy quickly in response to breaking news.
• Experience briefing spokespeople for media interviews.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities.

Responsibilities

• Secure high-profile national and regional media coverage aligned with Sense’s priorities.
• Develop creative PR plans and campaigns with colleagues across Sense.
• Pitch stories proactively to journalists across media.
• Oversee the day-to-day press office and out-of-hours media rota.
• Monitor breaking news to identify reactive opportunities.
• Write press releases, statements, quotes, thought leadership and briefing materials.
• Prepare and brief Sense spokespeople for interviews.
• Deliver media training to colleagues and spokespeople.
• Build long-term relationships with journalists and media contacts.
• Support high-profile campaigns, events and media opportunities.
• Collaborate with Digital Engagement, Policy, Public Affairs, Research, Co-production and Brand teams to maximise impact.
• Develop relationships with Sense Ambassadors and influencers.
• Monitor and evaluate coverage to improve PR activity.
• Deputise for the PR Manager when required.

Skills

PR professional

Media relations

Campaign management

Pitching to journalists

Copywriting

Spokesperson briefing

News & current affairs

Collaboration

Project coordination

Relationship building

Job description

About the role

We are looking for an experienced and creative Senior PR Officer to join us at at Sense! This is a permanent full-time role, working on a hybrid basis with presence in our King's Cross office 2-3 days per week.

Sitting within our media and campaigns team, you’ll secure high-profile media coverage, respond to the fast-moving news agenda and develop compelling stories that deepen public understanding, influence debate and build support for social change.

This is a varied, hands-on role with plenty of opportunity to take the lead. You will oversee our busy press office, develop and deliver PR plans, pitch to journalists, brief and train spokespeople and support major campaigns and events, from calls for government policy change to the Sense Awards.

Key responsibilities

• Secure high-profile national and regional media coverage aligned with Sense’s strategic priorities.
• Develop creative PR plans and campaigns in collaboration with colleagues across Sense.
• Pitch stories proactively to journalists across broadcast, print and online media.
• Oversee the day-to-day press office and support the out-of-hours media rota.
• Monitor breaking news and current affairs to identify reactive media opportunities.
• Write compelling press releases, statements, quotes, thought leadership, case studies and briefing materials – often to tight deadlines.
• Prepare and brief Sense spokespeople for interviews and provide support during media activity.
• Deliver media training to colleagues and spokespeople.
• Build strong, long-term relationships with journalists and key media contacts.
• Support high-profile campaigns, events, press briefings and media opportunities.
• Work closely with Digital Engagement, Policy, Public Affairs, Research, Co-production and Brand teams to maximise impact.
• Develop relationships with Sense Ambassadors, celebrities and influencers to support campaigns and media activity.
• Monitor and evaluate coverage, using insight to continually improve our PR activity.
• Deputise for the PR Manager when required.

About you

You will be an experienced PR professional or journalist who understands how to create stories. You will bring:

• Substantial experience working in PR, communications or journalism.
• A strong track record of securing high-profile national and regional media coverage.
• Experience developing and delivering successful PR campaigns.
• Confidence pitching proactively to journalists and building effective media relationships.
• The ability to write accurate, engaging copy quickly in response to breaking news and political developments.
• Experience preparing and briefing spokespeople for media interviews.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• A keen interest in current affairs and an excellent understanding of the media landscape.
• A collaborative approach and enthusiasm for generating fresh, creative ideas.

Experience working with celebrities, influencers or ambassadors would be an advantage.

About Sense

Sense is here to break down barriers alongside disabled people with complex needs. That's why we're committed to increasing the number of disabled people working across our organisation and creating an environment where everyone can thrive.

We actively encourage disabled people to apply for our vacancies and believe that a diverse range of perspectives, experiences and talents makes us stronger.

We know there's always more we can do to become a truly inclusive employer, and we're working together to achieve that. Join us and help create the change thousands of disabled people with complex needs and families told us they want to see: a world without limits.

If you need us to adjust our recruitment process to help you access our vacancies, then please get in touch with a member of the talent acquisition team. We are a Disability Confident Leader and commit to interviewing disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for a role. More information on this can be found here Our commitment as an employer | Sense Careers

Our Values

Our values shape the way we behave and work alongside disabled people with complex needs to break down barriers:

• We’re creating change
• We’re always learning
• We’re better together

Sense is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable children and adults and expects all employees to share this commitment. Therefore, all offers of employment, where appropriate, are subject to a DBS check; level dependent on the nature of the role.

For this role we particularly welcome applications from candidates from underrepresented ethnic minority backgrounds and candidates with disabilities. Sense is committed to equality of opportunity, and to promoting and celebrating the diversity of staff, volunteers and the people we work with. Everyone's contribution is valued and we ensure they're given the opportunity to realise their potential. We welcome applications from talented people from all sections of the community who share our values and belief that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. For more information please visit: https://www.sense.org.uk/about-us/equality-and-diversity/

No agency submissions please: any submissions without prior authorisation from the Sense Recruitment Team will be treated as our own and as such no fee will be payable.