PR & Social Media Officer in Reading

PR & Social Media Officer in Reading

Reading Full-Time 28000 - 38000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Make-A-Wish® UK

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Create engaging content and manage social media to amplify our charity's mission.
  • Company: Join Make-A-Wish UK, a charity dedicated to granting life-changing wishes.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, hybrid work, and opportunities for personal growth.
  • Other info: Be part of a passionate team making a positive impact on children's lives.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference by sharing inspiring stories and connecting with communities.
  • Qualifications: Experience in PR and social media, with strong communication skills.

The predicted salary is between 28000 - 38000 £ per year.

Location: Reading, Hybrid (at least twice a month to the Reading Office)

Hours: Full time

Salary: £33,000 per annum

Contract Type: Permanent

Campaign Closes: 4th March 2026

Interviews: First stage, 18th March 2026. Second stage, 25th March 2026

On occasion, we might close a vacancy early due to a high number of applications being received. Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their application as early as possible.

Core Purpose: As our PR & Social Media Officer, you will play a vital role in bringing Make-A-Wish UK's mission to life. By building strong media relationships, creating high-quality content and engaging our digital communities, you will help strengthen our brand and raise vital awareness of our work. In this exciting role, your work will be central to amplifying the charity's impact and ensure effective communication across earned and owned channels, ultimately supporting the goal of granting life-changing wishes to children with critical illnesses.

Key Responsibilities:

  • PR campaign support: Assist the PR Manager in planning and executing PR campaigns. Draft press releases, media outreach materials, and PR project plans. Develop and maintain media relationships and media databases to ensure effective media engagement. Seek opportunities to enhance our media exposure through strategic partnerships and collaborations. Support reaction and responses to media incidents. Work with wish families to share their story in a sensitive and authentic way. Lead on some PR projects, owning and delivering releases.
  • Social media management: Support the daily management of social media channels, including content creation, curation, and scheduling. Monitor and respond to community interactions to foster engagement. Tailor content to resonate with different audience segments, ensuring alignment with organisational goals. Track and evaluate social media performance, responding to key results. Lead on some social media projects or campaigns, producing and executing social media plans.
  • Project-based communications: Coordinate specific project communication plans, leveraging audience insights and channel expertise. Support communications efforts for high-profile events, corporate partnerships, and volunteer recruitment initiatives. Collaborate with partners to deliver on multi-year communication strategies, ensuring clear messaging and outreach goals.
  • Content Creation: Create compelling and audience-focused content for social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube, etc.). Assist in creating long-form content for blogs, newsletters, and digital media to reach a wider audience.
  • Tracking and researching trends: Track and analyse the charity's online and media presence. Create reports on performance and research which campaigns lead to achieving organisations goals such as increased income. Identify trends and look for ways to improve engagement and brand.
  • Campaign evaluation, reporting and coordination: Use monitoring and insight tools to assess the effectiveness of PR and social media campaigns. Provide data and insights to improve future communication strategies and audience engagement. Collate and coordinate PR and social media requirements for campaigns and partnerships.

Job Requirements:

Essential:

  • Proven experience in a PR and/or social media role within a comparable organisation (ideally a minimum of three years).
  • Demonstrable experience and confidence with PR outreach, media relations, and press material preparation.
  • Experience managing social media platforms, including content creation and community management.
  • Experience in using relevant programmes, including social media channel planning tools such as Sprout Social and asset creation tools like Adobe Express or similar.
  • Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.
  • Strong communications skills including writing skills.
  • Ability to build relationships with media contacts, external stakeholders and wider internal teams.
  • Skilled in managing a varied workload, able to pivot between PR and social media responsibilities as required.

Desirable:

  • Experience within Not-for-Profit or the Charity sector and its common practices and regulations.
  • Experience working with storytellers sharing sensitive topics.
  • Understanding of the importance of our services to children, their families and local communities would be highly beneficial.

PR & Social Media Officer in Reading employer: Make-A-Wish® UK

Make-A-Wish UK is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and supportive work culture, where your contributions directly impact the lives of children with critical illnesses. With a focus on employee growth, we offer opportunities for professional development and encourage creativity in PR and social media initiatives. Located in Reading, our hybrid working model allows for flexibility while ensuring you remain connected to a passionate team dedicated to making a difference.

Make-A-Wish® UK

Contact Details:

Make-A-Wish® UK Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land PR & Social Media Officer in Reading

Tip Number 1

Get to know the company inside out! Research Make-A-Wish UK, their mission, and recent campaigns. This will help you tailor your conversations during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in what they do.

Tip Number 2

Network like a pro! Connect with current or former employees on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing the PR & Social Media Officer role. Plus, it could give you an edge if they put in a good word for you!

Tip Number 3

Prepare for those interviews! Think of examples from your past work that showcase your skills in PR and social media management. Practice answering common interview questions, but also be ready to discuss how you can contribute to Make-A-Wish UK's goals.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, keep an eye on the closing date and try to submit your application early to avoid missing out!

We think you need these skills to ace PR & Social Media Officer in Reading

PR Campaign Support
Media Relations
Press Material Preparation
Social Media Management
Content Creation
Community Engagement
Audience Insights

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion:When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for PR and social media shine through! We want to see how much you care about our mission at Make-A-Wish UK and how you can contribute to it.

Tailor Your Content:Make sure to customise your application to highlight your relevant experience. Use examples from your past roles that align with the responsibilities listed in the job description. We love seeing how your skills fit with what we do!

Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and make sure your writing is easy to read. This will help us understand your qualifications quickly!

Apply Early!:Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your application. We might close the vacancy early if we get a lot of applications, so get yours in as soon as you can through our website. We can’t wait to hear from you!

How to prepare for a job interview at Make-A-Wish® UK

Know Your Stuff

Before the interview, dive deep into Make-A-Wish UK's mission and values. Familiarise yourself with their recent campaigns and social media presence. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you tailor your responses to align with their goals.

Showcase Your Skills

Prepare specific examples from your past experiences that highlight your PR and social media skills. Whether it’s a successful campaign you led or a creative piece of content you crafted, be ready to discuss how these experiences can benefit the charity.

Engage with Their Community

Take some time to interact with Make-A-Wish UK's social media channels before your interview. Comment on posts or share relevant content. This demonstrates your proactive approach and gives you insights into their audience engagement strategies.

Ask Thoughtful Questions

Prepare questions that reflect your understanding of the role and the organisation. Inquire about their current PR challenges or how they measure the success of their social media campaigns. This shows your enthusiasm and strategic thinking.