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- Tasks: Lead PR and media strategies to elevate LifeArc's profile in the life sciences sector.
- Company: LifeArc is a not-for-profit organisation focused on transforming lives through innovative healthcare solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible benefits, private health insurance, and 31 days of annual leave plus bank holidays.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in healthcare while thriving in an inclusive and supportive work culture.
- Qualifications: Experience in senior press roles, strong media relationships, and a background in science or communications preferred.
- Other info: We encourage diverse applicants; your unique background could be just what we need!
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Are you passionate about making life science life changing and delivering impact for patients? We want to hear from you.
About the role: Join the Communications and Marketing team at LifeArc in an exciting role leading the PR and media function. This role will be vital in raising the profile of LifeArc with key target audiences and stakeholders by engaging with national, international and trade media. Some of the key activities will involve:
- Developing and implementing a media strategy
- Drafting press releases
- Building relationships with key journalists across different sectors
- Media training for spokespeople
- Leading on crisis communications
The Senior Manager, PR and Media will be responsible for handling all PR and media activities for LifeArc with the aim of building our reputation and profile-raising with key external audiences in the UK and international life-sciences ecosystem. The post-holder will work with the wider Communications and Marketing Directorate, LifeArc's Board and Executive team and colleagues across LifeArc to build an external understanding of the organisation, generating and identifying opportunities to tell our story.
You will be responsible for:
- Developing and delivering our media, messaging and content strategy to support LifeArc's corporate objectives
- Leading on proactive media outreach and relationship-building with key journalists, publications and broadcast and online outlets
- Managing LifeArc's media function and being the key contact for journalists
- Identifying media opportunities, drafting strategic responses, drafting press releases, comments and opinion pieces
- Preparing key messaging and media briefings to ensure the organisation is supported to talk confidently about LifeArc's work
- Building strong internal relationships and identifying compelling narratives and content that tell the story of LifeArc and its work
- Playing a key role in the development of the organisation's wider Communications and Marketing Strategy
- Overseeing interviews or media events involving LifeArc spokespeople
- Delivering media training to senior leaders
- Working closely with partner institutions on shared announcements
- Drafting original content including web articles and blogs for the website
- Working with the Director of Communications, managing external agencies to deliver in line with strategy
- Reputation management and crisis communications planning and support
- Leading on development of all external communications-related communications including templates, policies and processes to ensure a consistent approach
Education & experience required:
- Considerable experience of working in a press office in a senior position with a demonstrable track record of building strong relationships with key media stakeholders and delivering high-impact proactive media coverage
- Demonstrable experience of using varied communications approaches and a proven track record of engaging audiences through multiple communications channels
- Experience of working with high profile stakeholders
- Experience of developing and evaluating media and messaging strategies
- Experience of managing external agencies to deliver projects and experience managing budgets
- Experience of delivering media training or managing an agency to deliver this
- Experience of working in science, healthcare or innovation-focused organisations and good understanding of the life-sciences sector
- Experience of handling crisis communications and reputation management
- Strong relationships with key journalists across print, broadcast and online platforms
- Experience of working as part of a creative team with competing priorities
Desirable:
- Degree (or equivalent) in science, communications, journalism or media is desirable
- Experience as a journalist is strongly desirable
Skills & abilities:
- An excellent writer who can take complex information and make it accessible to different audiences
- Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence, persuade, negotiate and establish credibility when giving advice and guidance at all levels of the organisation
- Ability to build positive working relationships internally and externally at all levels
- Knowledge of running a busy media operation, including understanding of the media and how journalists operate
- Advanced ability to distil complex information into clear, nuanced and accessible language
- Presenting skills and high attention to details
About us: LifeArc is a not-for-profit life science organisation, leading the way for change in rare diseases in the UK and supporting promising initiatives in global health. We seek out research in areas of unmet need that has great potential, providing support to help it become breakthroughs that change lives.
What we can offer you: Focused on finding life changing solutions for underserved patients, our people thrive in an inclusive, and supportive environment that prioritises their health and wellbeing. Our multidisciplinary approach guarantees our people growth opportunities, while our culture of innovation and collaboration drives the impact we make delivering on our purpose of 'putting patients at the centre of everything we do'. We are dedicated to creating a diverse, flexible, equitable and happy work environment so our colleagues can thrive as their truest selves. We act with courage, curiosity, care & commitment to deliver quality & excellence for our patients and each other.
Join us, and you'll be given the scope to develop your professional skills and experience in a safe, supportive and challenging environment. Salary will be determined by qualifications and experience along with other exceptional benefits. Because we understand everyone has different requirements, our flexible benefits allow you to choose those which are important to you. Our pension scheme offers employer contributions of up to 12%, private health insurance, and annual leave of 31 days PLUS bank holidays.
Don't meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people from minority ethnic backgrounds, for example, are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At LifeArc we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so whatever your background or lived experience, if you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. Our top priority is finding the best candidate, and you may be just right for this or other roles. We all have potential. At LifeArc, you'll discover what you can really do with it.
Senior Manager, PR and Media employer: LifeArc
Contact Detail:
LifeArc Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Manager, PR and Media
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the life sciences sector. Attend industry events, webinars, or conferences where you can meet key journalists and stakeholders. Building these relationships can give you an edge when applying for the Senior Manager, PR and Media position.
✨Tip Number 2
Stay updated on current trends and news in the life sciences and healthcare sectors. This knowledge will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your passion and understanding of the field, which is crucial for this role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of your previous media strategies and how they led to successful outcomes. Being able to articulate your experience in building relationships with journalists and managing crisis communications will be vital during the interview process.
✨Tip Number 4
Familiarise yourself with LifeArc's mission and recent initiatives. Understanding their goals and how your skills can contribute to their objectives will help you tailor your approach and show genuine interest in the organisation during your application and interviews.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Manager, PR and Media
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in PR and media, particularly in the life sciences sector. Use specific examples of past achievements that demonstrate your ability to build relationships with journalists and manage media strategies.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should reflect your passion for life sciences and your understanding of the role. Discuss how your skills align with the responsibilities outlined in the job description, such as crisis communications and media training.
Showcase Your Writing Skills: Since excellent writing is crucial for this role, consider including samples of your work, such as press releases or articles you've written. This will give the hiring team a clear idea of your writing style and ability to convey complex information.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your application, emphasise any experience you have with high-profile stakeholders and managing external agencies. Mention specific campaigns or projects where you successfully engaged audiences through various communication channels.
How to prepare for a job interview at LifeArc
✨Know Your Audience
Before the interview, research LifeArc and its mission in the life sciences sector. Understand their key stakeholders and the media landscape they operate in. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate your genuine interest in the role.
✨Showcase Your Media Savvy
Be prepared to discuss your experience with media outreach and relationship-building. Highlight specific examples of how you've successfully engaged with journalists and secured coverage for previous organisations. This will showcase your ability to lead the PR function effectively.
✨Demonstrate Crisis Management Skills
Given the importance of crisis communications in this role, be ready to share examples of how you've handled challenging situations in the past. Discuss your approach to reputation management and how you would prepare LifeArc for potential crises.
✨Prepare Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few insightful questions ready to ask about LifeArc's current media strategies or future goals. This shows your enthusiasm for the position and helps you gauge if the company aligns with your values and career aspirations.
