Communications Department

Media Officer

DIRECTORATE: Fundraising and Communications

TEAM: Media Relations

Head of Communications
Paul McDonald

Digital Media Manager Media Manager Public Affairs Manager Marketing & Brand Manager
Amanda Neylon Maria Lam Donna Castle Claire Sandham

Marketing Campaign
Website Manager Media Officer
Executive
Graeme Manuel Huw Beale
Emma Burns

Web Editor (p/t) Media Assistant Marketing & Events Executive

Naomi Coleman Kirstie Gull Zeena Patel

Digital Media Officer Media Officer Marketing Executive

Ben Jephcote Rupi Gohlar Lorna McKinnon

Web Editor Media & Public Affairs Officer Marketing Officer

Matt Cox Allyson Macdonald Vacant

Web Projects Manager Media Officer Roadshow Manager

Benita Gibbons Vacant Ben Holdstock

Media Officer (p/t)

Digital Marketing Executive Roadshow Executive
Naomi Goldberg
Hannah Jewkes Olivia Steed-Mundin
(Maternity Leave)

Digital Communities Executive Roadshow Officer

Joe Freeman Louise Mannix

Website Developer/Designer
David Smith

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OVERALL PURPOSE OF JOB
The Media Officer works within the Media Relations team to manage
the profile of Diabetes UK and diabetes in the media. S/he will
ensure that Diabetes UK key messages and campaign objectives are
presented coherently through the media at both a national and local
level and to target audiences. In doing so s/he will work
independently and with others to develop operational policies for
communications which maximise the potential outcome for the
organisation and communicate those strategies internally.

MAIN DUTIES

• Press, broadcast and other media relations: Contribute to the

development and implementation of an annual strategy,
which maximises the potential of all media outlets by
identifying opportunities to engage proactively to raise the
profile of Diabetes UK in all relevant media.

• Manage the implementation of the annual media strategy by

planning for key events in advance, involving relevant staff
from across Diabetes UK, in particular the national and
regional offices.

• Ensure that relationships are developed with the relevant

health and consumer media to assist targeting of Diabetes
UK’s messages.

• Act as first line of response to media enquiries

• Ensure that processes are put in place to keep Diabetes UK

aware of media coverage of diabetes and related health
issues and that the implications of information gathered from
such processes are communicated internally.

• Develop and implement a strategy for media training that

uses staff and volunteer skills to best present the message of
Diabetes UK as required.

• Work closely with Fundraising to provide advice and direct

support on key events and relationships to ensure that the
fundraising efforts of Diabetes UK are maximised.

• Ensure that the facts and figures about diabetes are

developed into simple, easy-to-communicate messages that
can be used in all external communications.

• Produce news releases, statements and articles for internal

and external publication.

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 • Arrange broadcast and print interviews.

• Determine when to arrange news conferences and their

content.

• Take part in an out-of-hours media contact rota.

• Work with the Marketing and Brand team to ensure that the
corporate image of Diabetes UK is effectively protected by
careful handling of all external press communication,
including implementation of appropriate crisis management
processes

• Represent Diabetes UK to outside bodies and other

associations, including fulfilling public speaking engagements
where necessary.

• Attend Diabetes UK conferences and meetings when required,

necessitating late night working and a minimum of five
overnight stays outside of London.

• Administer the relevant budget codes, ensuring that phased

annual budgets are produced and monitored throughout the
year.

• Undertake other work and perform other tasks necessary to

achieve the overall objectives of Diabetes UK as requested by
the Media Manager.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential:

1. At least two years’ experience of working within a public

relations/ communications environment.

2. Experience of developing and implementing strategies for

communicating key messages through the media, up to and
including national media outlets.

3. Experience of managing relationships with external

organisations.

4. Organisational ability, including the ability to set priorities and

manage own workload.

5. Ability to work to tight deadlines and under pressure including

operating out-of-office hours.

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6. Excellent interpersonal communication skills.

7. Ability to write news releases, articles etc. to the highest

standard.

8. Graduate or degree calibre.