At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead media and public relations to raise awareness of homelessness and enhance our reputation.
- Company: Join Simon Community, a passionate organisation dedicated to tackling homelessness.
- Benefits: Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including healthcare, generous leave, and development opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by shaping the conversation around homelessness and supporting communities.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in communications, strong media relations, and excellent storytelling skills.
The predicted salary is between 49500 - 60500 £ per year.
Help Shape the Conversation Around Homelessness. Simon Community is seeking an experienced and passionate Media & Public Relations Manager to help protect and enhance our reputation, raise awareness of homelessness, and strengthen relationships with the communities we serve. This is an exciting opportunity for a communications professional who can combine strategic thinking with hands-on delivery to ensure Simon Community remains a trusted and influential voice on homelessness.
The Role: Reporting to the Communications Business Partner, you will lead the development and delivery of proactive media and public relations activity across the organisation. You will play a key role in managing Simon Community's reputation, supporting crisis communications, and building positive relationships with media, stakeholders and local communities. Working collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation, you will identify and maximise opportunities to promote our services, campaigns, projects and impact. You will develop compelling stories and media content that raise public awareness of homelessness, challenge misconceptions, and showcase the difference our services make every day. As Simon Community's central point of expertise for media and public relations, you will provide professional advice and support to colleagues, helping to ensure a consistent, effective and impactful external presence.
Criteria:
- Essential: At least 5 years' experience in a relevant communications or external affairs role.
- Proven experience in managing press/media relations and securing earned media coverage.
- Experience managing reactive media enquiries and deadlines.
- Experience drafting press releases, statements and media briefings.
- Excellent communication and storytelling skills.
- Experience building relationships with a range of external stakeholders.
- Desirable: Experience working in the charity or public sector.
- Understanding of homelessness or related policy area.
- A strong network of media contacts.
Why Join Simon Community? We are proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package, including: Pension Scheme, Employer-Funded Healthcare (Benenden Health & Health Shield), Death in Service Benefit, Generous Annual Leave, Free Access NI Check, Occupational Sick Pay, Health & Wellbeing Initiatives, Learning & Development Opportunities, Management Development Programmes, Long Service Recognition, Blue Light Card (exclusive discounts).
To be considered for this role you will be redirected to and must complete the application process on our careers page.
Media & Public Relations Manager in Lisburn employer: Simon Community
At Simon Community, we pride ourselves on being a supportive and non-judgmental employer dedicated to making a real difference in the lives of those facing homelessness. Our Portadown location offers a collaborative work culture with extensive learning and development opportunities, ensuring that our Accommodation & Community Support Workers can grow both personally and professionally while enjoying a comprehensive benefits package. Join us in our mission to improve lives and be part of a team that values trust and respect in every interaction.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Media & Public Relations Manager in Lisburn
✨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 Simon Community. 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 Simon Community, 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 Simon Community 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 & Public Relations Manager in Lisburn
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 Simon Community. 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 Simon Community.
How to prepare for a job interview at Simon Community
✨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.
