At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead impactful media campaigns and inspire a passionate team for positive change.
- Company: Mencap, a charity dedicated to improving lives of people with learning disabilities.
- Benefits: 32 days paid holiday, discounts, health plans, and flexible work-life balance.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team committed to inclusivity and impactful change.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in society while shaping media narratives around learning disabilities.
- Qualifications: Senior PR experience, team leadership skills, and a passion for human rights.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Do you have senior PR experience and a passion for using media relations for positive change? Do you care deeply about improving the lives of people with a learning disability? Are you looking for a more flexible role, with good work life balance? If you’ve led fast-paced and ambitious teams to deliver impactful results across national media, then we may have the perfect role for you.
Mencap are recruiting for a Head of Media on a full time (37.5 hrs per week) basis. We are challenging the way the UK understands learning disability and are paving the way for even more impactful change to the way learning disability is portrayed in the media.
We are looking for:
- Someone with considerable experience of leading a national media and PR function, ideally within a charity organisation or the not-for-profit sector, although this is not essential.
- You will be adept at managing high profile media relations campaigns as well as leading teams to deliver them.
- The ideal candidate will also be a talented team leader, capable of inspiring, working collaboratively across multiple functions, and developing and effectively managing a small and passionate team of media relations professionals.
- Experience of issues and crisis communications management, with the ability to make sound editorial judgements quickly, prepare robust media materials, and protect organisational reputation under pressure.
- Experience of overseeing or working closely with storytelling and ambassador functions.
- A genuine passion for human rights, equality and inclusion, and a commitment to ensuring that people with a learning disability are heard, respected and represented in public life.
Navigating issues across healthcare, social care, education and employment, you will be creating diverse and impactful opportunities for sharing Mencap’s expert voice. Leading the media team, you will identify opportunities to generate visibility of people with learning disability in the media and work closely with senior colleagues to establish the media team as a key function for influence and brand awareness.
This vacancy closes on Sunday 12th July, with interviews to be held on Friday 17th July. £12.71 + excellent benefits and training. Our benefits package offers 32 days of paid holiday (including bank holidays, pro rata), along with a range of perks such as discounts at leading high‑street retailers, access to health cash plans, interest‑free loans, and many more exciting offerings.
About Mencap: Our vision is for the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live their lives to the full. We campaign for a fairer society. We work with families and partners to build inclusive communities. And we deliver the services people need to live their lives. Everyone works with people with a learning disability either providing support or advice, or alongside one another as colleagues. Belonging at Mencap is for everyone, every day, everywhere.
Head of Media in London employer: Royal Mencap Society
Mencap is an exceptional employer dedicated to creating a positive impact in the lives of individuals with learning disabilities. With a strong commitment to work-life balance, our flexible roles and supportive work culture foster personal and professional growth, while our comprehensive benefits package, including generous holiday allowances and health perks, ensures that our employees feel valued and empowered. Join us in our mission to challenge perceptions and advocate for equality, where your expertise in media relations can truly make a difference.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Media in London
✨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 Royal Mencap Society. 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 Royal Mencap Society, 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 Royal Mencap Society 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 Head of Media in London
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 Royal Mencap Society. 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 Royal Mencap Society.
How to prepare for a job interview at Royal Mencap Society
✨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.
