Media Manager

An immediate start is available for someone with experience in science media and national and international broadcast media. The Press & Communications Team at King's College London's Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) is looking for a research Media Manager to cover a team member who is on secondment for six months. The role holder will work closely with scientists from across IoPPN to publicise a broad range of scientific research in mental health and neuroscience, resulting in positive and impactful stories, digital content and coverage across online, print and broadcast media.

You will be a strong team player working with colleagues from the IoPPN press and communications team and across IoPPN, the NIHR Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre, King's College London's Corporate Communications team and partner NHS Foundation Trusts. This is a very busy role and a fantastic opportunity to tell important scientific research stories at the forefront of mental health and neuroscience research in an engaging way. The role holder will be a confident self-starter with curiosity for scientific research and possess excellent storytelling and writing skills. They'll have experience in newsgathering and be able to translate research into compelling stories while respecting scientific accuracy and nuance. The role holder must have experience dealing with news and current affairs broadcast and print media, and it will be a distinct advantage if the candidate has experience of creating opportunities for engaging with the media beyond press releases.

Role outline:

• To work with researchers to ensure their work is accurately and authentically communicated, including drafting and refining press releases and managing press release distribution and press conferences.
• To identify and generate news, feature stories and social media content about science research across IoPPN.
• To create engaging stories and content across website and social platforms, using video, graphics and imagery.
• To create and implement strategic PR campaigns about science discovery that cut across internal and external communication channels and which includes the regular placement of positive news stories in prominent media outlets.
• Be a key liaison point between journalists, the media and the University, maintaining contact lists and ensuring that relationships are enhanced and nurtured.
• To utilise all the University's external and internal communications channels, including social media, to amplify and enhance positive news stories in a creative and engaging way that will resonate with key audiences including students and staff.
• To monitor the IoPPN's external PR performance, comparison with competitors and keep abreast of the latest trends to ensure best practice.
• Ensure all communications uphold King's brand, tone and messaging standards.

This is a full-time (35 hours per week) post, offered through King's temp agency King's Talent Bank equivalent to £52,514.00 pro rata which equates to £28.78 per hour. This is a hybrid role, whereby you will be required to work at least two days in the office, depending on filming and onsite commitments.

To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:

• Excellent track record of generating and executing successful, proactive science PR campaigns that deliver measurable, positive reputation outcomes for an organisation.
• Excellent news sense and the ability to craft, brief and pitch compelling stories to journalists.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills in English.
• Ability to draft accurate copy from complex scientific research papers and an understanding of the mental health and neuroscience scientific landscape.
• Strong understanding of how to leverage social media and other digital platforms to amplify PR efforts and enhance global brand reach.
• Experience of accompanying and monitoring film crews on location, negotiating with producers/production companies and media training experts for interviews, ensuring both health & safety and editorial policies are upheld.
• A collaborative attitude to work, supporting others and with the ability to build effective links and relationships with a range of senior stakeholders.
• Experience using evaluation tools to measure impact, including the use of insights, analytics and emerging trends to inform content and improve performance.
• Experience of managing communications issues and external reputation management.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, including working with scientific journals, with a collaborative approach to working across teams, senior stakeholders and external partners.

Desirable:

• Knowledge and experience of working in the higher education sector.
• A professional qualification in journalism, communications or PR or equivalent experience.
• A degree in a science discipline, or certificate in science communications.