Communications Manager

We believe that change for people affected by ME wont just happen; it must be made. Thats why action and impact are at the heart of everything we do. Whether thats helping people today with support information or care. Or working towards securing future change through our research and campaigning work. The intent of everything we do is to pursue positive impact for the lives rights and futures of people affected by ME.

As Communications Manager you will play a pivotal role in delivering strategic impactful communications that advance Action for MEs work improve understanding and recognition of ME and support fundraising efforts

The Communications Manager will be responsible for the day-to-day delivery of the communications strategy leading a team of two other communications staff. You will work closely with colleagues across the fundraising policy research and services departments delivering clear and compelling storytelling and maximising visibility across media digital platforms and key stakeholder networks.

Key duties

Leadership and Management

• Work to ensure that people with ME are at the heart of everything we do through meaningful engagement and participation to influence all aspects of communications and marketing.

• Contribute to the development of and then lead implementation of the Communications Strategy ensuring the appropriate involvement of key stakeholders scoping evaluating and improving our practice.

• Maintain a data-insight led approach to the communications work providing regular management information and key performance indicator reports.

• Work as a member of the Extended Leadership Team.

• Line manage Communications Team members supporting them to set and achieve performance objectives through regular one-to-ones and 12-monthly appraisals.

• Be responsible for Communications budget and the relationship with services providers required for the production of the charitys digital and printed information and support resources.

Communications and Marketing

• Raise the profile of the impact of ME and of Action for ME and its work to enable the organisation to reach more people and better support need by establishing a regular cadence of appropriate but innovative product across all main social media channels.

• Ensure fundraising is supported by embedding clear calls to action around donations and membership growth as a matter of course.

• Under the direction of the Director of Fundraising develop all website press and social media content for charity appeals.

• Market the charitys Support and Healthcare services including key digital and printed information and support resources to the ME community and the professionals working with them working closely with respective service leads.

• Contribute to income generation by working closely with the Director of Fundraising to develop the communication and marketing materials needed to implement the organisations Fundraising Strategy.

• Coordinate the charitys response to any crisis communications including developing appropriate crisis management plans and working outside of office hours as required.

• Establish effective systems/processes for gathering supporting maintaining and managing case studies for a range of purposes (including press and media opportunities public affairs and policy work and fundraising).

• Draft and issue press releases and media statements and ensure appropriate follow-up by telephoning journalists contacting picture desks etc. as appropriate.

• Alongside the CEO and any commissioned agency develop relationships with key press media and communications stakeholders to enhance the charitys work.

• Oversee the production of the annual report on budget to schedule taking overall editorial responsibility for content.

• Oversee the ongoing development of our digital engagement including our website and social media and being the point of contact on website issues.

• Fulfil the role of brand gateway keeper ensuring all digital and printed communications including information and support resources adhere to brand guidelines house style and organisational tone.

• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge and oversight of how ME and related key issues (e.g. Long Covid) are discussed in the media and wider ME community.

• Build networks to enhance the charitys strategic communications and marketing work.

• Build and maintain an effective social media monitoring regime ensuring fit for purpose rules of engagement are in place and applied consistently.

Other Key Accountabilities

• Ensure that all relevant service standards are met including compliance with best practice legal and regulatory frameworks and internal standards.

• Ensure best value in all our work.

• Undertake any other duty within your ability and within reason as may be required from time-to-time at the discretion of your line manager.

• On occasions provide management support and cover within the organisation as needed.

• Act as an advocate for the charity and its work.

Person specification

Experience Knowledge and Understanding

• A minimum of 2 years experience working in a communications management role

• Experience of developing integrated insight and audience-led communications plans including social media

• Experience of website and brand management

• Experience of delivering successful campaigns

• Experience of engaging with press and/or media including writing press releases and media briefings

• Experience of working collaboratively with different teams/departments

• Experience of working in charity communications (desirable)

• An understanding of ME and the impact on people affected by it (desirable)

• Experience of integrating fundraising with communications (desirable)

Skills Behaviours and Values

• Adaptable and highly organised with an ability to work methodically managing and prioritising a varied workload use your own initiative work independently and work well in a team.

• Strong MS Office skills including the ability to use Word Excel databases and web-related programmes and software.

The full recruitment pack can be found here: Communications Manager Application

Please ensure you read the how to apply section in the application pack to ensure you provide the required information (including a cover letter/supporting statement that clearly demonstrates how you meet the criteria within the person specification). Incomplete applications or those that do not meet these requirements will not be considered and will be automatically discounted.