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Job description and person specification

Please note this statement is for information only and does not form part of a contract. This list is not exhaustive and you will be expected to undertake such duties as may be assigned to you by Arthritis Research UK from time to time. Staff are expected to be flexible in their work in order to deliver the objectives of the organisation.

Job title / Communications Executive / Location / London
Contract type / Permanent / Contract length / full time
Date / 1st December 2015
Context
At Arthritis Research UK everything we do is driven by knowledge to positively impact on what matters to people with arthritis. Our long-term commitment is to
·  prevent the onset of arthritis
·  develop a cure for arthritis
·  transform the lives of those with arthritis.
Over the next five years to 2020 we want to make a positive and tangible change in the quality of life for people with arthritis so that they can say “I am in control, independent and recognised”. We want people with arthritis to do the things that make their lives fulfilling and meaningful, manage their condition and the impact it has on their day to day lives, and feel that they have a voice and are being heard, understood and visible. We can't achieve all this alone. We'll work in partnership with other organisations and influence others to address what's important to people living with arthritis.
The communications team provides communications advice and support to the organisation, as well as running the press office function and proactive communications campaigns, including our annual National Arthritis Week.
Main purpose of the role
The communications executive is a vital part of the communications team, working to communicate the significance of arthritis and the relevance of Arthritis Research UK.
They work closely with the Communications Campaign Managers, Communications Manager, Assistant and Executive. The role requires flexible working across communications channels to develop creative content, secure high quality proactive and reactive media coverage, recruit and manage case study relationships, and manage our social media engagement.
Management and key relationships
Staff managed / None
Reports to / Krystyna La Roche/Susannah Cox, Communications Campaign Manager job share partnership
Key Relationships
Internal:
·  Colleagues in Communications and in particular a close working relationship with the Communications Campaign Managers, Communications Manager, Communications Executive, Communications Assistant, Head of Communications and the Brand and Digital teams
·  Provide communications advice and support to other teams within the organisation, which may include the policy and public affairs team, health promotion team and research teams.
·  Work as part of the social media team (a virtual cross department team whose members are line managed by other colleagues)
External:
·  Agencies and suppliers
·  Journalists, bloggers, social influencers
·  Communications colleagues in other organisations
Main Duties
1 / Proactively pitch and secure national, regional and trade media coverage – across online, print and broadcast media
2 / Respond to reactive media enquiries in a timely and appropriate manner, taking part in the out of hours on call press office rota.
3 / Work with the wider communications team to deliver integrated communications campaigns, such as National Arthritis Week.
4 / Lead on maintaining the organisation’s case study database. Work with the communications assistant and communications executive to increase the number of real life stories profiled by the media and the charity.
5 / Responsible for uploading content onto the news section of the website as directed.
6 / Contribute to evaluation process of our communications work, evaluating impact and reach of activity.
7 / Work with communications campaign managers to provide communications advice and guidance to other teams internally.
8 / Work with colleagues to develop creative communications content – this includes video, imagery or written materials such as press releases, social media posts and briefings.
9 / Be an active member of the social media team, taking part in the duty rota, creating content and moderating our owned social channels.
10 / Use team processes for planning, resource management and evaluation
11 / Undertake any other responsibilities or duties as requested by the Communications Campaign Manager.

Person specification

Knowledge, skills and experience: key requirements
Requirement / Evaluation[1]
1 / GCSE at Grade C or above or equivalent in key subjects including English and Maths / App
2 / Educated to a degree level or equivalent / App
3 / Strong MS Office skills including Word, Excel and Powerpoint / App
4 / Relevant experience in a media or public relations role in either PR agency or in-house / App
5 / Demonstrable success in delivering national, regional and trade media coverage / Int
6 / Experience of adapting a story for different channels i.e. online, broadcast, print, social and digital. Demonstrable experience of moderating social channels. / Int/presentation
7 / Experience of responding to reactive media enquiries / App
8 / Success in planning, delivering and evaluating media campaigns / Int/presentation
9 / Ability to develop and maintain media contacts / Int
10 / Excellent writing skills / Test
Competencies
Requirement / Evaluation
1 / Proactive, with an enthusiastic and flexible approach / Int/test
2 / A good team player, who is hungry to achieve and take the lead on projects / Int
3 / Hard working and dedicated, with a professional approach / Int
4 / Ability to achieve deadlines and manage time effectively and efficiently / Int
5 / Passion for delivering creative and innovative campaigns / Presentation
Knowledge, skills and experience:
Desirable
1 / Previous experience of charity, campaigns, health or research communications / App/Int
2 / Experience of content management system / App/Int
3 / Experience of working with PR tools including Gorkana media database, cuttings service and Response Source / App

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[1] This is relevant for recruitment purposes and sets out how a candidate will be assessed against requirements. Options are application form (App), interview (Int) or test (Test)