Interim PR & Media Officer

Job Title:  Interim PR & media officer

Based at: London / home hybrid working. 

Contract:  Temporary (6 months FTC)

Hours: 35 hours per week (open to flexible or part-time working) 

Salary: Band 4

Department: Marketing, Communications & Brand

Did you, like many Brits, find a new appreciation for walking during
the Covid-19 pandemic? With over 20 million Brits now regularly enjoying
walking for leisure,there are certainly no shortage of opportunities for
the Ramblers.

Whether you have experience in the charity sector or come from a commercial background, your knowledge, skills, drive and creativity will help us leverage our new branding, income strategies and investment in digital infrastructure (including our new website) to open up joys and wellbeing benefits of walking to even more people.

Note: Interviews will be held on a rolling basis, so the role may close earlier if an appointment is made.

About us 

 

Since 1935, we’ve been doing everything we can to make sure everyone everywhere can enjoy nature on foot. We lead the way, and the walks, for a community of over 100,000 walkers. And we help thousands more every year find their feet out in the open to boost their wellbeing naturally. 

 

The Ramblers is a charity dedicated to removing barriers so everyone can enjoy walking in green spaces and to preserving and improving hundreds of thousands of miles of well-loved paths, tracks and trails across England, Scotland, and Wales. We're committed to campaigning to keep our countryside open to all and to fighting for the things that matter most to walkers.   

 

Purpose of Role

Reporting to the Strategic Communications & Planning Manager, you will play a key part in building our brand and creating engagement with our products and services by managing reactive media enquiries through the press office and by proactively creating opportunities to promote the Ramblers via the media.You will develop and deliver high impact PR plans for Ramblers projects/products that deliver the right message to the right audiences at the right time via appropriate channels & publications.

You will use your PR knowledge and expertise, working with project leads, product owners and channel managers to develop and implement PR plans that will achieve their marketing objectives.You will work collaboratively with the Strategic Communications & Planning manager to manage reputational risk and to build high profile support for the brand.You will also work to upskill people across the organisation – including volunteers - to achieve greater impact with communications.

The role 

Press office - Respond in a timely and appropriate manner to media enquiries, prioritising resource in line with the strategic communications plan and the potential for high impact coverage.Build strong working relationships with a network ofcontacts that can be exploited for proactive media work.

Proactive PR – Create and implement PR plans to deliver high profile coverage in support of advocacy campaigns and other initiatives across the organisation such as Ramblers Wellbeing Walks targeting publications & channels that are relevant for the target audience. Liaise with other teams on reactive and proactive PR opportunities.

Producing communications – increase positive engagement with the Ramblers projects/products by developing press releases,media packs, briefings and other PR materials that are aligned with the strategic messaging framework and the brand narrative whilst meeting the audience needs.Act as brand champion across all communications.

Message delivery – work in partnership with channel leads  to ensure that communications are delivered effectively across all relevant channels.Source/develop content and assets that enhance the Ramblers brand and use audience insight to create engagement.

Crisis communications – work with the Strategic Communications & Planning Manager when there is a crisis or potential for reputational risk, using your PR experience to advise on the best approach to mitigate negative media attention..

Relationship management – work with the Strategic Communications & Planning Manager to recruit and steward high profile supporters who through their channels and ours, can help increase the reach and relevance of the Ramblers brand.

Improving communications across the organisation - work with other members of the Marketing,Communications & Brand team to plan and deliver a programme of communications training, coaching and support for other staff and volunteers.

Insight– analyse the results of previous communications to gather learnings and insights to shape future messaging, content, and approaches to improve engagement, applying a test and learn approach.

Undertake such other duties as may be reasonably required of the post holder by the Ramblers.

The person 

 Knowledge and Experience  

PR - A minimum of three years’ experience of working in a busy press office or PR agency, with proven PR campaign planning & delivery skills

Planning – experience of developing and delivering audience-centric PR plans

Copywriting – experience of writing for different audiences ensuring key messages are delivered in the brand tone of voice

Communication -  an effective communicator, with the ability to engage a range of stakeholders using relationship building and influencing skills 

Branding – understanding of the importance of branding and experience of developing brand building communications

Insights – a curious mind that allows you to develop and apply data and audience insights to strengthen performance

Legal - a broad understanding of copyright and data protection laws.

Skills and leadership style 

People – able to build good relationships with others and to work a network of contacts to deliver marketing objectives

Systems - experience of using a media monitoring system and maintaining a database of media contacts

SEO – experience of developing SEO website copy (desirable but not essential)

Personal attributes  

Creativity – in all senses – visually, technically, problem solving etc

Drive – to do a great job – and to keep delivering stronger results

The Ramblers promote diversity and welcome applications from all sections of the community.   

    

Values and Behaviours 

Our values are the core principles that guide us daily in our work and our membership of the Ramblers. We all share the passion that walking is for everyone and by living our shared values we can ensure the Ramblers is an organisation to be proud of. Our values will earn trust for the Ramblers brand which will allow us to open up a world of walking opportunities for even more people. 

 

Inclusive – We make everyone feel welcome and part of the Ramblers community. We make sure we all feel respected and accepted and know our contributions make a difference in achieving our mission.   

  

Inspiring – We strive to inspire people through the way we act and the things we say. We channel our passion and ambition so others are moved to help us achieve our mission.   

  

Empowering – We empower and encourage each other to make a positive contribution to our teams and the Ramblers. We do all we can to make sure everyone has the ability, and feels confident, to take action.    

  

Responsible – We take responsibility for ourselves and those around us seriously, by always acting in a safe and supportive way. We care about the environment and make sure we do what we say we will do.