Media and Public Relations Lead in London

Permanent, Full Time, Hybrid working (minimum of 2 days per week in the office)

Location: London

Salary: £61,057 per annum (including London allowance)

About us

Christian Aid exists to create a world where everyone can live a full life, free from poverty. We are a global movement of people, churches and local organisations who passionately champion dignity, equality and justice worldwide. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, and recognise the value this brings in forming strong, creative and high performing teams. We welcome applications from all sections of the community, and from those with experience from outside of the voluntary sector. We just ask that everyone lives out our values of dignity, equality, justice and love. We value a good work-life balance, so we’re open to part-time and flexible working.

About the role

Reporting in to the Head of Communications, the Media and Public Relations Lead will direct and lead the media relations strategy for Christian Aid to garner media coverage that is on brand and consistent with Christian Aid influencing, communications and fundraising goals. The post-holder will lead the strategic planning and oversight of Christian Aid’s media and public relations strategy, raising the profile of the organisation among influencers in politics, public life and the Church, as well as Christian Aid supporters, motivating them to give, act and pray.

Some of the main areas of responsibility for the Media and Public Relations Lead include:

• Manage the team to generate high profile media coverage and to create messaging that positions Christian Aid as a credible and influential organisation.
• Deliver and shape the strategic planning and oversight of Christian Aid’s media and public engagement strategy, raising the profile of the organisation among influencers in politics, public life and the Church, as well as supporters, motivating them to give, act and pray, driving meaningful change.
• Collaborate with fundraising, advocacy and programme colleagues to deliver profile-raising media and public engagement activity, particularly during key moments such as Christian Aid Week and humanitarian emergencies and appeals.
• Drive and build context and content around each message outlined in the fundraising and supporter engagement strategy for the complete set of Christian Aid audiences, ensuring there is consistency and an appropriate tone of voice.
• Provide guidance and coaching on successful public relations activities, fostering a team mindset that will bring greater awareness to the impact Christian Aid is having and the work it is doing with its partners and protecting the organisation's reputation.
• Generate coverage of Christian Aid’s international programmes, emergencies, campaign, policy and fundraising work across all media.
• Plan resources to contribute to projects and support the wider organisational needs.
• Be a senior member of the Communications Divisional Leadership Team within the Income & Public Engagement department and deputise for the Head of Communications where needed.

About you

Who we are looking for:

Essential:

• Educated to degree level or equivalent in communications or a related subject.
• Significant experience in media & PR management, communications, supporter and public engagement strategies.
• Understanding of modern and emergent communications and marketing techniques.
• Highly developed presentation skills in public and the media.
• Substantial experience in strategic planning, leadership and people management, budget management and decision making.
• Highly developed ability to deliver stand-out creative, innovative and effective media and public engagement.
• Highly developed ability to plan projects effectively and meet challenging targets collaboratively.
• Substantial experience of coaching and managing individuals to lead, empower and inspire others.
• Significant experience of negotiating and influencing within a large or complex organisation, ability to work cross-organisationally and building internal stakeholder relationships and delivery outstanding partnership working.
• Highly developed communication and interpersonal skills.
• Detailed understanding of the diversity of churches and church audiences and of how to work in a creative partnership with them.
• Highly developed ability to think objectively rather than performing well defined tasks and be comfortable with ambiguity, seeking clarity rather than certainty.
• Significant experience of leading and managing change, building trust, and handling conflict creatively.

Further information

At Christian Aid we strive to be an inclusive and diverse employer and recognise the value that this brings in helping to build strong, creative and high performing teams. We are actively encouraging racialised minorities, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, returning parents or carers who are re-entering work after a career break, people with caring responsibilities, people from low socioeconomic backgrounds, women, and older workers to apply. This is because these groups are under-represented within our teams, especially at senior level, and we recognise and value the contributions members of these groups make to strong, creative and high performing teams. We have a strong Christian ethos and we encourage applications from all faiths. Applicants will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of and sympathy with Christian Aid’s faith identity. All successful candidates will require a DBS/police check appropriate to the role and location and a Counter Terrorism Sanction check as part of your clearance for commencing your role with us. We also participate in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information as part of the referencing process from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures. This role requires applicants to have the right to live and work in the country where this position is based and undertake the role that you have been offered. If you are successful and we make you an offer for the role, we will be required to conduct a right to work check on your immigration status in the UK. We will contact you regarding the documentation you will need to provide to evidence this.