Turn2us is a national charity tackling poverty and the structural causes of financial insecurity. We work with co-producers and partners to provide people in financial crisis with the means and agency to get back on their feet, build resilience, move forward with their lives and thrive.

As an equal opportunities employer, we are committed to equity, inclusion and diversity and the value people from different backgrounds bring to a team. If, like us, you believe everyone has the right to have enough to live on, and you are ambitious about eradicating poverty, join us and build your career with a charity dedicated to ensuring dignity and equity for all.

Turn2us is looking for someone to lead and deliver impactful public relations (PR) strategies that amplify the voice and work of Turn2us. This role focuses on driving media engagement, enhancing public awareness of our mission, and ensuring alignment of PR efforts with organisational priorities. At its heart, this role is about great storytelling, working across Turn2us to develop a deep understanding of our work and how we can harness the news agenda to communicate our message.

We’re looking for a confident communicator to develop and implement PR strategies, manage media relations, collaborate on messaging, organise media events and engagements and line manage the Senior Storytelling Officer.

We offer flexible working patterns, both in terms of hours and remote working. Please note that all employees are required to work from the office a minimum of 4 days a month on a weekly basis.

Some roles may be required to be in the office more often than others and this will be agreed with the hiring manager upon starting at Turn2us.

Please note that all job offers are subject to 2 – 3 satisfactory references and a disclosure satisfactory to Turn2us from the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS).

Please read the PR & Press Manager Job Pack for further information.

Job Description

Job Title: PR & Press Manager                       

Department: Brand & Communications team, Income & External Affairs Directorate           

Reports to: Head of Brand and Communications

Direct Reports: Senior Storytelling Officer   

Location: Hybrid: Turn2us London Hub (Farringdon) & homeworking

Type of role: Permanent, part-time 21 hours a week (job share)

Purpose of the Role:

To lead and deliver impactful public relations (PR) strategies that amplify the voice and work of Turn2us. This role focuses on driving media engagement, enhancing public awareness of our mission, and ensuring alignment of PR efforts with organisational priorities.

Key responsibilities and accountabilities:

Shape and implement our proactive and reactive PR and media strategy to increase awareness of Turn2us so we can help more people struggling to get by, and build collaborative partnerships, especially in areas where our work is new (e.g. our systems-change work).

1. Develop and Implement PR Strategies:

• Create and execute PR strategies and plans that raise awareness of Turn2us’s work and support key organisational objectives, including fundraising, partnerships, campaigns and policy initiatives.

• Identify opportunities for proactive media engagement to position Turn2us as a leading voice on financial insecurity.

• Help develop integrated campaigns that align PR with policy, fundraising, and programme goals.

• Lead regular cross-team meetings to align PR strategies with organisational objectives.

• Analyse media activity and campaign performance, providing regular updates and reports to stakeholders, and using insights to inform wider media and PR work.

2. Manage Media Relations:

• Build and nurture strong relationships with journalists, editors, and producers across print, online, and broadcast media.

• Harness the news agenda to tell stories that reflect the realities of those experiencing financial insecurity.

• Act as the primary point of contact for all media/PR inquiries, responding promptly to internal and external requests.

• Draft and distribute press releases, features, blogs and media statements and share internally for dissemination on Turn2us’s channels.

• Support the creation of resources for journalists that contribute to Turn2us’s systems change approach e.g. guidance around narrative change.

• Ensure the narrative guide for journalists is regularly updated, redistributed to new contacts, and continues to reflect Turn2us’s messaging and systems-change objectives.

• Serve as a spokesperson when necessary and provide comprehensive media briefings to staff and spokespeople.

3. Collaborate with the Policy and Digital Teams:

• Develop an understanding of policy areas including financial inclusion, personal finance and regulated financial services.

• Work closely with the policy team to ensure alignment of communications with advocacy objectives and campaign priorities.

• Support the creation of media resources, such as policy briefings and press kits, to enhance media understanding of Turn2us’s policy positions.

• Collaborate with the digital team to integrate PR content into Turn2us’s online presence.

4. Organise Events and Media Engagements:

• Plan and manage media events, such as press briefings, interviews, and public launches, ensuring smooth execution and alignment with campaign objectives.

• Support fundraising and programme teams with media engagement for specific campaigns and initiatives.

5. Manage the Senior Storytelling Officer:

• Provide leadership, mentorship, and performance management to ensure Senior Storytelling Officer supports the delivery of strategic objectives.

• Delegate tasks effectively, ensuring team efforts align with organisational goals.

6. Out-of-Hours Press Phone Management:

• Manage the out-of-hours press phone as needed, ensuring timely responses to media inquiries outside standard working hours.

These are the normal duties, which the Charity requires from the position. However, it is necessary for all staff to be flexible and all employees will be required from time to time to perform other duties as may be required by the Charity for the efficient running of the charity.  This Job Description is non-contractual. It will be reviewed from time to time and may be subject to change.

At Turn2us, we are committed to protecting personnel, children, adults, and service users from any harm arising from each other, themselves, our activities, or organisational failings whilst in contact with us. The post holder will be required to follow the safeguarding policy and will be responsible for integrating safeguarding into all aspects of their work.

The post holder will be expected to ensure that their work complies with contractual terms and conditions, the Charity’s policies and procedures and key legislation, such as data protection and charity law. 

Personal Specification

Skills and Experience:

Necessary:

• Experience in a PR, media relations or journalism role.

• Experience of planning, developing and evaluating PR and media campaigns.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft and edit compelling press materials and media narratives.

• Strong interpersonal skills, with a demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with journalists, editors, and other media stakeholders.

• Demonstrable ability to work under pressure, meet tight deadlines, and manage competing priorities with a proactive and organised approach.

Desirable:

• Experience managing team members, providing leadership, and delegating tasks effectively.

• Experience of working in the charity or advocacy sector, with a focus on public relations or communications.

• Strong project management skills, particularly in delivering integrated PR campaigns involving multiple teams or stakeholders.

• Experience in acting as a spokesperson or providing media training to others within an organisation.

Knowledge:

Necessary:

• In-depth understanding of the media landscape, including print, online, and broadcast channels.

• Awareness of key issues related to financial insecurity and poverty in the UK, as well as the broader charity sector.

• Familiarity with Data Protection legislation (GDPR) and its implications for managing stakeholder data.

Desirable:

• Understanding of the UK political landscape, including the roles of Westminster, devolved parliaments, and local authorities in shaping public policy.

• Awareness and strong working knowledge of the sector with specific experience with similar charities desirable.

• Familiarity with the use of analytics tools to evaluate PR campaign effectiveness and inform future strategies.

• Knowledge of advocacy campaigns, particularly those aimed at addressing social issues like poverty or financial insecurity.

Personal Attributes:

• Strong leadership skills with the ability to work with other departments to achieve objectives.

• A positive, proactive and energetic approach to problem solving.

• Willingness to travel to meetings across the UK when needed.

• A commitment to embodying the charity’s values of:

·       Financial Security for All.

·       Listen, Learn, Improve.

·       Together We Succeed.

·       Impatient [for change].

Turn2us is fully committed to equity, diversity and inclusion in our sector. We want this to be reflected in the diversity of the people who work for us and we are interested in applications from people from varied backgrounds.

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