At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead media initiatives, create engaging pitches, and connect research to current issues.
- Company: Join the Nuffield Foundation, a charitable trust focused on social wellbeing.
- Benefits: Flexible working options, 28 days holiday, and comprehensive wellbeing support.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping national conversations on important social issues.
- Qualifications: Strong media instincts, excellent writing skills, and a passion for current affairs.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 50000 £ per year.
Salary: Starting from £50,000 per annum
Contract: Full time (35 hours per week). Fixed term contract for 18 months.
Location: We are London based (Farringdon). Our staff have the option to work 2 days per week from home.
Closing: 09:30am (BST), Monday 7th September 2026.
The Nuffield Foundation is an independent charitable trust working to improve social wellbeing through research and innovation. We're looking for an ambitious media professional with an exceptional sense of what journalists are looking for. Someone with strong media instincts, brilliant contacts and the ideas, energy and experience to get important issues and commentary onto the national agenda. This is a highly proactive and autonomous role.
You'll lead our media work, finding and creating opportunities to bring the Foundation's research, expertise and people to the attention of relevant journalists and media outlets. You'll spot the hook in a piece of research, connect it to what's happening in the world and turn it into a pitch that makes a journalist want to respond. You'll bring and build trusted relationships with journalists and editors across national, specialist, broadcast and digital media, while constantly looking for new ways to get our work heard and our subject experts known.
This role works closely with colleagues across communications, policy and public affairs, grant programmes, our research centres and the researchers we fund to uncover the strongest stories and get them in front of the right people. If you’re as comfortable with a blank sheet of paper as you are responding to a breaking story, you’ll enjoy this role. You'll write sharp, engaging pitches, press releases and comment pieces, develop lines at speed when the news demands it, and help develop and prepare our spokespeople for media opportunities.
You'll also be an excellent writer and editor, able to turn complex ideas into clear, compelling copy without losing the substance. Naturally curious about current affairs and policymaking, you’ll also be confident working with complex research and policy areas, and comfortable operating at pace when opportunities arise. This role is a chance to have real ownership of our proactive media agenda, working on a wide range of issues that matter including economic inequalities, SEND, children and young people’s education and employment outcomes, public right to justice, racial diversity, over 50s health and work, AI and education, climate change, demographic change and much more.
If you're a creative, connected media professional who gets excited about spotting and placing evidence-backed stories and opinions, we'd love to hear from you.
About us: The Nuffield Foundation is an independent charitable trust with a mission to advance educational opportunity and social well-being. We achieve this by funding and undertaking rigorous research, encouraging innovation, and supporting the use of sound evidence to improve people’s lives. We tackle pressing, complex questions. Our aim is to open up opportunities and to improve lives for individuals, families and communities, within a just and inclusive society. Our work addresses the inequalities, disadvantage, discrimination and vulnerabilities that people face, and considers the social and ethical implications of scientific and technological advances. We are the founder and co-funder of Nuffield Council on Bioethics, Nuffield Family Justice Observatory and the Ada Lovelace Institute.
Benefits:
- Genuine flexibility - we are open to requests for part-time hours, compressed working weeks, or job shares.
- 28 days holiday per annum and all public holidays, with the option to buy or sell up to 5 days (prorated for part time staff).
- A salary exchange pension scheme that offers employer contributions of up to 11%.
- Life assurance scheme.
- Family leave policies that provide an enhanced level of pay.
- Cycle to work scheme, loans towards train season tickets and the option to make charitable donations via your pay.
- Regular opportunities for learning and development – including coaching, mentoring, and dedicated reading days for personal development and reflection.
- Support with your physical, mental and financial wellbeing including an employee assistance provider, a private GP service, personal health reviews with Bupa, a will and funeral planning service and a staff network of trained Mental Health First Aiders.
- A warm and welcoming workplace culture, with active peer groups and social networks to help you connect and belong.
Media Lead employer: NUFFIELD FOUNDATION
The Nuffield Foundation is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of London, where creativity and collaboration thrive. With a strong commitment to employee wellbeing, we provide genuine flexibility, generous holiday allowances, and comprehensive support for personal and professional growth. Join us to lead impactful events and communications that drive social change while enjoying a warm workplace culture that values inclusivity and connection.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Media Lead
✨Get Involved in PR Events
Dive into local PR meetups and workshops. Events like these are perfect for getting your face out there, chatting with industry pros, and spotting potential job openings at companies like NUFFIELD FOUNDATION. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to learn about trends and make lasting connections.
✨Showcase Your PR Skills
Start building your personal brand as a PR ace. Use platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn to share your thoughts on current events or PR campaigns you admire. Tagging companies you want to work for, like NUFFIELD FOUNDATION, can catch their eye—especially if your insights resonate!
✨Leverage Your Network
Reach out to friends, family, or connections in the PR field. Even a casual chat can lead to opportunities. If you've got mutual contacts, ask for introductions when applying. Personal recommendations can give your application a nice little boost!
✨Tailor Your Approach
When applying for a full-time PR role, make sure to research NUFFIELD FOUNDATION inside and out. Understanding their campaigns, values, and style allows us to directly align our application and impress during interviews. Don't hesitate to apply through our website—going direct can make a real difference!
We think you need these skills to ace Media Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Get Your Story Straight:In public relations, storytelling is everything! Make sure your CV highlights your experience in crafting compelling narratives and managing media relations. Share specific examples of campaigns you've worked on, and don’t forget to include any press coverage you've generated—it's impressive proof of your skills!
Show Off Your Communication Skills:Since PR is all about communication, we want to see your best writing samples. Include pieces like press releases, blog posts, or social media content that you've created. This gives us a taste of your voice and your ability to convey messages clearly and effectively, which is crucial for a role in this field.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter should be more than just a recap of your CV; it’s your chance to shine! Emphasise why PR excites you and how your background fits with the mission of NUFFIELD FOUNDATION. Show us that you’ve done your homework and speak to why you’re passionate about the work we do.
Connect the Dots:When you’re writing your application, think about how your past experiences link to the responsibilities of the role. Mention any internships, volunteer work, or projects that involved public speaking, event planning, or strategic communication. This will help us see how you can seamlessly bring your skills into a full-time position at NUFFIELD FOUNDATION.
How to prepare for a job interview at NUFFIELD FOUNDATION
✨Master the Art of Storytelling
In public relations, storytelling is key. We should prepare compelling narratives about past campaigns or projects we’ve worked on. Think about how we can illustrate our impact and creativity in those stories—be ready to discuss specific examples that showcase our skills in managing media relationships and crafting messages.
✨Know Your PR Tools Inside Out
Familiarity with PR tools like Cision or Meltwater is crucial. We need to be able to discuss how we’ve used these tools in past roles or projects. If we've worked on media lists, press releases, or analytics reports, let’s have those experiences ready to share along with metrics we’ve achieved to back up our claims.
✨Stay Current with Industry Trends
We’ve got to stay sharp on the latest trends and events impacting the public relations field. Having a few insights ready about recent campaigns or shifts in media landscapes can show that we’re engaged and knowledgeable. This will also help us make connections between our experiences and the current state of the industry.
✨Showcase Our Versatility
As full-time PR professionals, we need to demonstrate our adaptability. Be ready to talk about how we've handled challenging situations, managed crises, or adapted strategies on the fly. Employers will appreciate our ability to pivot and find solutions under pressure, so let’s have those scenarios at our fingertips to discuss.
