The role of Save the Children UK’s Media Manager is varied and rewarding

  • Are you an experienced news journalist or in media handling, and have a strong track record of success in obtaining media coverage in a variety of outlets?
  • Do you have experience in interrogating complex data (scientific, technical, economic) to find stories and develop news lines?
  • Do you have good contacts for generating news stories in UK outlets with news journalists, editors and wider media
  • Are you motivated by our vision of creating a world where every child doesn’t just survive, but thrives, and can go on to change the world?
  • If the answers to these questions are yes, we would love to hear from you!

    Note:

    To avoid disappointment, you are advised to submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close the vacancy early if a high volume of applications are received. This is to ensure that we can manage application levels whilst maintaining a positive candidate experience. Unfortunately once a vacancy has closed, we are unable to consider further applications.

    About Us

    Save the Children UK believes every child deserves a future. In the UK and around the world, we work every day to give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. When crisis strikes, and children are most vulnerable, we are always among the first to respond and the last to leave. We ensure children’s unique needs are met and their voices are heard. We deliver lasting results for millions of children, including those hardest to reach.

    Job Purpose

    Reporting directly to the Head of News, you will be responsible for developing and leading on media activity about our work across the UK and internationally.

    As a rights-based organisation, we are committed to anti-racism and actively opposed systemic oppression of any form. You will also support our commitment to celebrate diversity, challenge inequality, and build an inclusive environment for every one of our employees so we can better represent the children we protect.

    Main Accountabilities

    The Media Manager’s key duties will be to:

  • Generate hard-hitting and compelling media briefings and press releases covering UK and international work, to influence policy makers and support fundraising objectives
  • Project manage delivery of key media moments such as report launches and fundraising appeals
  • Map, build and maintain relationships with key journalists, editors and opinion formers in order to successfully pitch UK and international stories that support Save the Children’s objectives
  • Generate news lines, spot stories, facilitate journalists and produce media-worthy materials (case studies, blogs, footage, photography, tweet etc.) when on mission
  • Work with colleagues to identify and support children and families supported by Save the Children in the UK to tell their stories in the media, ensuring that ethical standards and best practice are maintained at all times
  • Collaborate and influence across the organisation to harness colleagues’ skills and expertise in support of delivering impactful media coverage, including coaching spokespeople
  • Respond quickly to breaking news both in the UK and internationally to achieve cut through for Save the Children’s work and priority issues in high profile media
  • Deliver corporate communications content that promotes Save the Children, the organization, as distinct from saving children, the cause
  • Support Save the Children’s use of digital and social media to build awareness of our issues among diverse audiences
  • Protect Save the Children’s reputation by implementing crisis management media strategies and rebuttal as required
  • Travel within the UK and overseas where required to provide effective media support to Save the Children initiatives
  • Perform such other tasks and responsibilities as may be required from time to time in order to ensure the smooth running of the team, cross departmental teams, the department and Save the Children
  • Take a turn on the out of hours rota
  • Act as a spokesperson for Save the Children when required
  • Person Profile

    Skills and Experience:

    You must have successful skills and experience in all of the following:

  • Experience as a news journalist or in media handling
  • A strong track record of success in developing strategies on own initiative to obtain significant media coverage in a variety of outlets
  • A sound grasp of what different media outlets want and an understanding of where to seek out newsworthy stories
  • Good contacts for generating news stories in UK outlets with news journalists, editors and wider media
  • Experience of working within budget constraints
  • Commitment to Save the Children’s mission, values and approach (includes child focus, equal opportunities)
  • Commitment to team working and understanding of how to contribute
  • Ability:

    You must have the ability to:

  • Flexibility to act reactively and make the most of breaking stories to maximise opportunities for coverage
  • Ability to work fast, effectively and independently.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor to a range of audiences and media
  • Ability to influence and work cross-organisationally (e.g. with senior managers and volunteers) at all levels to persuade others to a point of view
  • Ability to communicate effectively and empathetically with people we support and who support our work, including children, young people and their families
  • Ability to confidently interrogate complex data (scientific, technical, economic) to find stories and develop news lines.
  • Proven ability to meet deadlines and make decisions on what to prioritise when working under pressure on a number of projects
  • Ability to operate within a predominantly administratively self-servicing environment
  • Sound strategic thinking and planning skills, including ability to set priorities and evaluate progress
  • Ability to travel internationally
  • Save the Children UK is committed to diversity and equality of opportunity in all aspects of our work both external and internal. We strive to be an inclusive employer and particularly encourage applications from under-represented groups such as returning parents or carers who are re-entering work after a career break, people who are LGBT+, from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, with a disability, impairment, learning difference or long-term condition, with caring responsibilities, from different nations and regions, and from less advantaged socioeconomic backgrounds.ing responsibilities, from different nations and regions, and from less advantaged socioeconomic backgrounds.