Media officer

Purpose of job

To increase positive awareness of epilepsy and to promote the work of Epilepsy Action through active PR work with the media and other external audiences.

Scope of activities

Epilepsy Action is the leading national charity working to create positive change for people living with epilepsy. We have a very professional image and maintaining and developing that image is a key part of this post’s role. Epilepsy Action consistently achieves high levels of media coverage and this is vital in building our profile. The media officer is instrumental in ensuring a positive perception of epilepsy and the work that the charity does through working closely and positively with the media and other external audiences. The role also ensures effective use of internal communications with our stakeholders. The post’s day-to-day work is supervised by the Senior PR and Media Officer.

The Communications Department is a key department within the Association. As well as PR and campaigns, it is responsible for producing our range of magazines and publications, the design and print of the charity’s materials, creating and maintaining our award winning website and administering our on-line community.
The media officer is responsible to the PR and campaigns manager and works in the PR and campaigns team alongside the senior PR and media officer and campaigns and policy officers.

Principal responsibilities and duties

• To work with the PR and campaigns manager and the senior PR and media officer to publicise and promote Epilepsy Action's work to external and internal audiences by:
• Working with colleagues throughout the organisation to implement PR and internal communications plans 
• Writing press releases, letters to editor and articles
• Working with relevant PR tools such as the media contact database.
• Developing and maintaining knowledge and experience of new media, social media and traditional PR tools
• Providing PR support for Epilepsy Action's branches, campaigns and fundraising work
• Maintaining internal communications systems, for example updating the corporate calendar.
• Working with the senior PR and media officer and Chief Executive to evaluate stakeholder surveys
• Supporting the PR and campaigns manager and senior PR and media officer in all PR and internal communications work
• Supporting the annual review processes and the production of effective impact reporting
• Working with the PR officer to encourage members to participate in the annual elections and AGM 
• Working effectively with the press and media to respond, within deadline, to enquiries and sell in stories
• Developing and maintaining relationships with suitable case studies in conjunction with the PR and campaigns manager and PR officer
• Maintaining the case study database
• Evaluating and reporting on Epilepsy Action’s PR work
• Representing Epilepsy Action at external events when required, including occasional out of hours work
• Maintaining relationships with press contacts and creating new press contacts
• Providing support to the wider communications team through involvement in digital media, audio visual and exhibition projects
• Helping to maintain efficient administrative systems, including:
• Ensuring PR records and reports are kept up to date
• Maintaining the PR team’s filing systems
• Monitoring and evaluating press and media coverage.
• Providing own administrative/secretarial support, for example writing correspondence, making telephone calls, arranging meetings and so on
• Liaising with external contacts including:
• Handling telephone and email enquiries
• Representing Epilepsy Action at external events
• Working as part of the PR team to achieve team objectives.
• Assisting colleagues with their workload when required.
• Performing any other task as reasonably may be required by the PR and campaigns manager in keeping with the general nature of the post.
• Other: 
• Act as an ambassador for Epilepsy Action by representing the Association at external events as necessary and when required
• Consistently upholding the standards of the organisation by both word and example
• Ensure all work meets the Association’s quality standards
• Ensure all aspects of media work comply with health and safety, equal opportunities and other legislation and established Epilepsy Action procedures
• Ensure all media work is accessible and that the charity’s commitment to equality and diversity is planned into all work in a relevant and effective manner
• Undertaking any other duties reasonably required, which fall within the scope and responsibility of the post, including occasional duties out of work hours

Advice and information provision

• Level B (See Policies and Procedures Manual for more detail)
• The post holder is expected to have or gain an in-depth understanding of epilepsy. 
• If approached by anyone requiring specific advice about the condition, the post holder should refer any requests for advice without delay to the Epilepsy Helpline. 
• If approached by anyone requiring information about the condition, within the scope of their role, the post holder should provide relevant epilepsy information and/or refer to Epilepsy Action’s resources, including publications, website and Helpline team.
• Organisational understanding
• The post holder is expected to have or gain an in-depth understanding of Epilepsy Action’s services and strategic aims.

Person Specification

Experience / Qualifications

Essential

• Proven hands-on or academic knowledge of public relations with some practical experience
• Previous experience of using Microsoft Office and social media
• An awareness of new media and social media and its role in PR
• Educated to at least A level or equivalent

Preferred

• An understanding of internal communications
• Previous experience of dealing with the media
• A PR-related qualification

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Excellent verbal, written and telephone communication skills
• Excellent organisational skills
• Able to work on own initiative and within team
• Flexibility, adaptability and able to work to tight deadlines
• Proven ability to maintain confidentiality

Preferred

• Ability to use databases, for example Microsoft Access

Additional criteria

Essential

• An understanding of and commitment to Equal Opportunities
• The job will entail occasional travel across the region, and occasionally UK-wide, including unsociable hours

Apply now