Bristol, England, United Kingdom · On-site
$42k–$42k/yr
We believe that change for people affected by ME won't just happen; it must be made. That's why action and impact are at the heart of everything we do. Whether that's helping people today with support, information, or ca…
Skills: Communications Management, Strategic Planning, Team Leadership, Social Media Management, Press Relations
Sign up with Clera and we'll reach out the moment a role actually fits you — no more spraying applications into the void.
The Communications Manager leads the delivery of the communications strategy and manages a team to increase visibility and understanding of ME. Key duties include overseeing media relations, digital engagement, brand consistency, and supporting fundraising efforts through compelling storytelling.
Candidates must have at least 2 years of experience in a communications management role with a proven track record in campaign delivery and press engagement. Proficiency in MS Office and experience in website and brand management are required.
We believe that change for people affected by ME won't just happen; it must be made. That's why action and impact are at the heart of everything we do. Whether that's 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 ME’s 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 charity’s 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 charity’s 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 organisation’s Fundraising Strategy.
Coordinate the charity’s 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 charity’s 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 charity’s 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 Pack.pdf
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.
Providing support & holistic healthcare services to people of all ages affected by ME.
UK charity Action for M.E. takes action to end the ignorance, injustice and neglect faced by children and adults with the serious, neurological disease, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, or M.E. We do this by meeting need now to improve lives, while taking action to secure change for the future. Alongside providing targeted information, support and advice to children, young people and adults with M.E., we offer peer-support services that reduce the isolation that so often comes with M.E. We work closely with professionals and policy-makers to improve access to appropriate care and support services, and collaborate with scientists, patients and clinicians to move biomedical research forward, including funding PhD studentships and co-leading DecodeME the world's largest M.E. DNA study. Following our merger with The ME Trust in February 2022, we are now able to offer Healthcare Services. We support people to manage the physical symptoms of M.E. with medical advice and intervention, and physiotherapy. We also acknowledge that any long term illness can have psychological effects, and we, therefore, offer counselling, emotional support and spiritual direction for people who find that helpful. This is the model of whole-person care which is fundamental to the activities of Action for M.E.
Offices: 42 Temple Street, Keynsham, Avon BS31 1EH, GB
Providing support & holistic healthcare services to people of all ages affected by ME.
UK charity Action for M.E. takes action to end the ignorance, injustice and neglect faced by children and adults with the serious, neurological disease, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, or M.E. We do this by meeting need now to improve lives, while taking action to secure change for the future. Alongside providing targeted information, support and advice to children, young people and adults with M.E., we offer peer-support services that reduce the isolation that so often comes with M.E. We work closely with professionals and policy-makers to improve access to appropriate care and support services, and collaborate with scientists, patients and clinicians to move biomedical research forward, including funding PhD studentships and co-leading DecodeME the world's largest M.E. DNA study. Following our merger with The ME Trust in February 2022, we are now able to offer Healthcare Services. We support people to manage the physical symptoms of M.E. with medical advice and intervention, and physiotherapy. We also acknowledge that any long term illness can have psychological effects, and we, therefore, offer counselling, emotional support and spiritual direction for people who find that helpful. This is the model of whole-person care which is fundamental to the activities of Action for M.E.
Offices: 42 Temple Street, Keynsham, Avon BS31 1EH, GB
