At a Glance
- Tasks: Create engaging content and manage communications campaigns to support mental health services.
- Company: Leading provider of community mental health services in Sussex.
- Benefits: Health cashback scheme, interest-free loans, discounts on travel, and 25 days holiday.
- Other info: Receive ongoing training and support for career growth in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in mental health while developing your communication skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in communications, public relations, or marketing with strong writing skills.
Location: Lewes and hybrid
Salary: £31,687 per year (37 hours per week)
Hours: 30-37 per week
What you’ll be doing:
Are you a creative communicator who wants to use your skills to make a real difference? Do you enjoy creating engaging content, telling powerful stories and connecting people with the support they need? Southdown is one of Sussex's leading providers of community mental health services and the lead provider of the UOK mental health network across Brighton & Hove and East Sussex. We’re looking for a Communications Lead to help raise the profile of the UOK partnership and the services it delivers. In this varied and rewarding role, you’ll create compelling content, deliver communications campaigns, manage digital channels and showcase the impact of our work. You’ll work closely with colleagues and partners across the UOK network to provide responsive communications support that helps more people access mental health and wellbeing support. If you’re an enthusiastic communicator with great ideas, strong writing skills and a passion for making a positive difference, we’d love to hear from you.
Perks and benefits:
- Health cost cash-back scheme: access to our health insurance scheme which covers dental, optical, physical therapies and other medical treatments with the option to add greater levels of cover.
- Interest-free loans: assistance with larger costs that arise such as tenancy deposits, season travel tickets or buying a car.
- Access to the Easit Network: discounts and incentives on train, bus and car journeys such as 15% off eligible daily and season rail tickets.
- Blue Light card: access to discount services for the social care sector with savings across thousands of online shops, restaurants, and high-street vendors.
- Free advice and counselling service: confidential emotional support and practical guidance from our independent telephone service.
- 25 days paid holiday plus bank holidays.
Knowledge, skills and experience
What you’ll need for the role:
- Experience of communications, public relations or marketing.
- Creating engaging content for digital and print, including copywriting and editing.
- Planning and delivering communications campaigns.
- Managing website content, social media channels and producing multimedia content and evaluation reports.
- Building positive relationships with a range of stakeholders.
- Organising and prioritising a varied workload while meeting deadlines.
What would be nice:
- Experience of working in the mental health sector.
- An understanding of mental health challenges and the importance of person-centred, inclusive communication.
- Experience of working in partnership across organisations to deliver shared communication objectives.
Training: You’ll receive an initial induction, followed by regular in person training and supervisions to invest in your development and provide all the tools needed to succeed in this role. We’ll help you to gain valuable experience, continually develop your skills and build a great career with the largest provider of housing, care and support in Sussex.
How to apply: Please click on the ‘Apply Now’ button and fill out our simple one-page application form. Please note, if we receive a large number of applications then this position may close before the advertised application closing date. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.
Communications Lead in Lewes employer: Southdown
Southdown is an exceptional employer dedicated to supporting individuals with learning disabilities, offering a compassionate work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. Located in the vibrant community of Worthing, our Service Manager role provides opportunities for meaningful engagement, ongoing training, and access to a range of benefits including health cost cash-back schemes and interest-free loans, ensuring you can thrive both personally and professionally while making a positive impact in the lives of others.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Communications Lead in Lewes
✨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 Southdown. 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 Southdown, 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 Southdown 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 Communications Lead in Lewes
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 Southdown. 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 Southdown.
How to prepare for a job interview at Southdown
✨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.
