PR Manager

About the Role

Location & Contract: This is a full-time, 12-month fixed term (maternity cover) role with a hybrid working model based in Reading, with travel required to our Reading hub at least twice per month.

The PR Manager will be responsible for developing and executing the organisation s PR strategy, in support of the wider I&E and Brand, Communications and Entertainment Strategy. You will seek and create opportunities to enhance the charity s reputation and promote its mission, in line with its goals and values.

You will lead on defining and articulating organisational key messaging for key activities to be shared with the wider organisation and external media. This will include supporting the People team in developing their internal comms strategy that engages, inspires and empowers the organisation.

Working collaboratively with the Brand, Communications and Entertainment team, provide support in developing external campaigns and relevant entertainment relationships, including with media partners, broadcasters, influencers and celebrity supporters

Key Responsibilities

• Take ownership of the PR strategy, developing plans to promote key initiatives, campaigns and products to media, effectively and in line with wider strategies.
• Have a proactive approach in anticipating media requests & reactions and have the right processes, assets and content in place to support this.
• Create impactful press releases and other supporting media materials that are consistent with the agreed strategy, goals and key messaging to secure coverage.
• Build powerful press and media relationships and partnerships to gain coverage and elevate campaigns, and identify how Make-A-Wish can optimise these.
• Working with the B,C&E Lead, manage an effective crisis communications strategy, maintaining a framework to manage proactive and reactive crisis or incidents ensuring it is fully embedded into the organisation and refreshed when needed. Lead on the preparation of responses and official statements when required.
• Develop and update toolkits to support consistent media presentation, and toolkit elements for specific fundraising activities and campaigns that can be used internally and also shared with partners and community leaders.

Essential Criteria:

• Ideally 7+ years experience within a PR focussed role within a cause driven organisation and/or charity with 2+ years experience within a similar role to advertised.
• Evidence and experience of developing and leading high-profile media activations including broadcast coverage, (ideally around fundraising) broadsheet coverage (ideally of media-backed campaigns, etc.
• Evidence and experience of capturing stories including copywriting, sensitive interviewing and story capture approaches, etc.
• Understanding of regulatory frameworks, best practice and ethical issues.
• Experience with insight and analytic tools and building reports to inform and develop PR strategy.
• Experience of managing and planning work strategically.

At Make-A-Wish, we believe that agile working gives everyone an opportunity to have their own work pattern that suits their role and individual needs. We believe this is the most effective way to give our best to wish children and supporters, and as a result deliver our charitable mission in the most effective way; whilst ensuring we create a happy workplace.

The organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Relevant level of DBS check will be required for this role. Employment is subject to positive references and proof of the right to work in the UK.

Make-A-Wish is also committed to attracting and recruiting diverse people as it s vital that we strive towards ensuring that our trustees, employees, ambassadors and volunteers reflect the communities we seek to serve.

Please apply for this role via our website.