News & Media Officer in Somerset

Every three minutes, someone in the UK develops dementia. Could you use the power of media to help those stories reach more people? As our South West Media Officer, you'll help bring these stories to life. You'll create media coverage that raises awareness, influences change and inspires people to support Alzheimer's Society.

Reporting to the Regional Media Manager, you'll work across the South West. You'll deliver media activity that supports our campaigns, fundraising, services, research and local influencing priorities. You'll help strengthen our reputation as a trusted voice on dementia.

You might be finding a powerful story one day, responding to breaking news the next, or supporting a spokesperson before an interview. You'll help create campaigns that reach and engage people.

If this role excites you and you have experience in communications, media or PR, but you're not sure you meet every requirement, we'd still love to hear from you.

Contract: This is a 12-month fixed term contract. You'll work from home with occasional travel across the South West of England to build relationships, support media activity and connect with communities.

By building genuine relationships, spotting opportunities and making sure the voices of people affected by dementia are at the heart of what we do.

• Develop and deliver regional media plans that support our influencing, fundraising, services, and research.
• Build strong relationships with journalists, colleagues and communities across the South West, identifying media opportunities supporting local influencing priorities, promoting Alzheimer's Society services.
• Work with people affected by dementia to tell their stories in a way that feels right for them, with care, respect and compassion.
• Create clear, engaging and accessible content, including press releases, statements, briefings, and articles.
• Respond to media enquiries, manage sensitive issues and help protect the reputation of Alzheimer's Society.
• Support and prepare spokespeople, helping them feel confident when sharing their knowledge and experiences with the media.
• Create engaging content, including photography, video and other digital materials, to bring our campaigns and stories to life.
• Work closely with teams across Alzheimer's Society and with external partners to create greater understanding and support for people affected by dementia.

You'll have experience in communications, media or PR and enjoy using storytelling to make a difference. You'll combine strong media judgement with empathy, curiosity and a desire to understand what matters to people. You'll build trusted relationships and help make sure the voices of people affected by dementia are heard.

• Experience of working in media or PR, with an understanding of what makes a story matter and how to connect with regional and local audiences.
• The ability to build positive relationships with journalists, colleagues, communities and partners.
• A thoughtful and compassionate approach to working with people affected by dementia, helping them share their experiences in a way that feels supported and meaningful.
• The ability to stay calm under pressure, manage competing priorities and deliver high quality work when deadlines are tight.
• Strong writing skills and the ability to turn complex information into clear, engaging content for different audiences.

Your work can change understanding, influence action and give people affected by dementia a stronger voice. Join us and help make sure those voices are heard across the South West.

Dementia is the UK's biggest killer. One in three people born in the UK today will develop dementia in their lifetime.

At Alzheimer's Society, we're the UK's leading dementia charity and the only one to tackle all aspects of dementia by giving help and hope to people living with dementia today and in the future. We give vital support to people facing the most frightening times of their lives, while also funding groundbreaking research and campaigning to make dementia the priority it should be.

Together with our supporters, we're working towards a world where dementia no longer devastates lives.

Our commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging: We need to ensure the voices around our table better reflect and understand the communities we exist to serve. We strongly encourage individuals to apply who have a disability, impairment or health condition or individuals who identify as Black, Asian or from another minority ethnic background, as these groups are currently under-represented at Alzheimer's Society.

We want everyone we work with, as a colleague, volunteer, supporter, or someone we support, to feel included and that they belong at Alzheimer's Society. Our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy here along with our internal employee forum and Employee Lived Experience network groups help us promote inclusion and belonging, becoming an engaged and inclusive organisation for all our people.

We are working hard to ensure our recruitment process is as inclusive as possible, so please do inform us of your experience and anything you think we could do better by completing our candidate survey when you apply. Please also contact Alzheimer's Society Talent Acquisition Team for application support or any adjustments you might need.

We are committed to safer recruitment and ensuring the welfare of those we work with, due to the nature of some of our roles, we might need to carry out a Criminal Record Check at the relevant level. You can read more information via our Website.

We are proud to support them with a range of benefits, recognition and many options for working agilely, all contributing to a strong work life balance. We also have various learning programmes to support you in your development and help you grow to realise your potential and shape a career with Alzheimer's Society.