Head of News

Head of News Location: London (hybrid role working between home and office) Hours: 35 hours per week Contract type: 12-month fixed term contract Salary: Circa £63,000 per annum (inclusive of Inner London weighting allowance)

The British Red Cross help anyone, anywhere in the UK and around the world, to get the support they need if crisis strikes; now more than ever our movement is helping to connect human kindness with human crisis.

This is a pivotal and exciting external communications role, responsible for driving the British Red Cross’ voice in the UK media.

About this opportunity

You will oversee a busy News function, which publicly responds to the major crisis of our time.

From health inequalities, migration and displacement to disasters and climate change, the Head of News wi ll ensure that the British Red Cross remains highly visible on its core strategic causes.

You will be a key advisor to senior stakeholders and act as the eyes and ears of the organisation, leading the News team to spot opportunities, respond with speed and confidence to breaking news and expertly handle risk, whilst also delivering longer term, proactive campaigns.

Amongst your key responsibilities will be:

• To devise and deliver media strategies that secure positive, consistent and meaningful UK media coverage for the organisation’s work
• Holding responsibility for our reputation management oversight
• Building and maintaining relationships with high profile, national, regional and trade journalists, positioning the British Red Cross as the organisation of choice
• Overseeing an ongoing programme of media training and spokesperson support, ensuring that the British Red Cross is able to field confident, relatable representatives across the UK media

What we are looking for

We are looking for a communications leader with:

• Substantial experience of and proven ability as a media and public relations officer or journalist
• The ability to adapt to changing and / or new, sudden onset demands revising plans, content, approaches as needed
• Strong team / line management experience
• Experience of how to positively portray people with lived experience and provide them with an empowered role in the storytelling process
• Strong influencing skills including persuasive speaking and presentation skills and writing skills

Please note that we are looking for someone with the experience and confidence to respond confidently and at speed to emerging issues and breaking news; as such, the role will require work out of hours.

(Please read the full Role Profile/ Job Description for more information about this vacancy including responsibilities and full person specification)

Closing date for applications is 23:59 on the 26th of September 2022 with interviews to follow.

We offer a wide range of staff benefits, these include:

• 36 days holiday (including Bank Holidays)
• Option to buy an extra 5 days annual leave
• Up to 6% contributory pension
• Flexible working policy
• Genuine investment in your training and personal development

A little bit more about us

The British Red Cross help anyone, anywhere in the UK; get the support they need if crisis strikes. From hiring a wheelchair or dealing with loneliness, to adjusting to life in a new country – we’re there when you need us.

Our organisation was born out of a desire to bring help without discrimination. Impartiality and neutrality have been central values for the Red Cross since we started.

At the British Red Cross, we are looking for the best people to help us provide support to millions of people affected by crisis in the UK. We want our team to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve, offering equal opportunities to everyone, regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or disability.

Diversity is something we celebrate, and we want you to be able to be yourself at work and feel you ’re in a great position to help us spread the power of kindness.

In the British Red Cross, we will not tolerate any form of misconduct, including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse. We have a code of conduct in place and are committed to creating a culture of integrity in the organisation where misconduct is not tolerated, situations of abuse are quickly investigated, and perpetrators are dealt with effectively.

If you are appointed to a role within BRC you will be subject to the organisation’s Code of Conduct, a copy of which you can find on our website.

The British Red Cross, incorporated by Royal Charter 1908, is a charity registered in England and Wales (220949) and Scotland (SC037738).

Follow us on Twitter @RedCrossJobsUK and on Linked in – British Red Cross, to hear about our latest job vacancies.

Connecting human kindness with human crisis