Media Manager

Salary: £42,066 per annum plus an additional £5,023 London Weighting per annum (if applicable). An out of hours and mobile phone allowance will also be added.

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Leave: 30 days holiday per annum plus bank holidays

Location: Shelter provides flexibility to allow home based, office based, or a combination of the two. Please note however semi-regular travel to Shelter’s London office (EC1) is expected.

Contract Type: Permanent

Closing Date: 1st February 2024

Do you have razor sharp news sense, a flair for storytelling, experience of working in PR or as a journalist and a real desire to play your part in bringing positive change to one of the country’s biggest social issues? Then join Shelter as Media Manager and you could soon be playing a linchpin role in our fight to end the housing emergency.

About Shelter

A home is a fundamental human need, as essential as education or healthcare. Yet millions of people across Britain struggle on a daily basis with homelessness, bad housing conditions, soaring rents, discrimination, and the threat of eviction. So, we are striving for change, with individuals, in communities, across society, and leading the way to a safe home. We need ambitious, best-in-class individuals who are passionate about our cause to join us at this exciting time. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve.

At Shelter we are united by our purpose to defend the right to a safe home. Our enemy is the social injustice at the core of the escalating housing emergency. We believe that to win that fight, we must be representative of the people we are here to help and those who support our movement for change. In all our people decisions, we take pride in being inclusive, fair, equitable and transparent.

We have committed to combat racism both within and outside Shelter and welcome you on our journey to becoming a truly anti-racist organisation.

About the team

Operating in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, our media team responds to emerging news stories in a politically charged environment. Sometimes that means pulling a group of key stakeholders together and getting our message out the door within the hour. But the team also generates their own engaging and attention-grabbing headlines through our proactive campaigns and big brand moments.

Our work needs to be top-notch because Shelter’s reputation is at stake. But despite the profile and speed of our work, we’re a really friendly, open team where your input, ideas and questions will always be welcomed. A place where you needn’t be afraid to put your point across or challenge the status quo. We’ve achieved some great results too, with our most recent campaign successes including the Social Housing Regulation Act becoming law, persuading the government to unfreeze Housing from April 2024, meaning more families can afford their rent, and last but not least pushing forward the Renters (Reform) Bill, ensuring it is as strong as possible to protect renters as it passes through Parliament. In short, no matter what we’re faced with, we get things done.

About the role

This is your opportunity to play a big part in the day-to-day running of our busy press office, and a central role in developing both proactive and reactive media strands. As well as engaging with senior management and journalists on a daily basis, we’ll rely on you to deputise for the Head of Media when needed, and to provide invaluable support on reputational and crisis communications. Planning strategically vital campaigns, acting as reputational gatekeeper, and contributing to the management and ongoing development of the media team – are just some aspects of this challenging, high reward role that will see you thrive.

We are happy to talk about flexible working, personal growth, and to promote a workplace where you can be yourself and achieve success based only on your merit.

About you

Creative, results driven, and politically savvy, you are comfortable with leading change and initiating action even under difficult circumstances. You are an excellent writer and totally at home with translating complex research and policy into pithy soundbites and key messages – a skill you’ll be eager to share with your colleagues who want to learn from a pro.

You don’t just sit back and contemplate. You spot risks and opportunities, and challenge when you need to. Crucially, you already have senior level experience of public relations/press management, ideally gained at a charity/think tank/political party/PR agency or working as a journalist. As a result, you understand the inner workings of the media, what makes a story and how to influence the ever-changing news agenda.

You have extensive knowledge of different media channels and tactics, and your communication and relationship building skills are second to none. You’re confident influencing and negotiating at all levels, including handling crisis communications with diligence and sensitivity.

When it comes to empowering your line recruits and colleagues to deliver to the highest standard, your approachability and expertise all come to the fore. Finally, while prior knowledge of housing and homelessness isn’t a must have, you’ll need a passion for social justice. After all, there’s a huge amount we need to achieve together, and you’ll be playing a big part.

How to Apply

Please click ‘Apply for Job’ below. You are required to submit a CV and a supporting statement. The supporting statement should address how you meet the below points of no more than 350 words per point. Please provide specific examples following the STAR format (Situation, Task, Action and Result):

Point 1: You will have demonstrable senior level experience of public relations / press management working in a fast paced and high-profile environment. As such you will understand the inner workings of the media and what makes a news story. Your outstanding communication skills, and extensive knowledge of media tactics, mean you know what it takes to influence and engage journalists from across the media mix, be it a features writer or a political editor.

Point 2: Strong organisational, people management and relationship building skills are essential as you will line manage at least two members of staff and have oversight of numerous complex projects and work streams. Your openness, approachability and expertise will empower colleagues in your team and across the organisation to deliver to the highest standard.

Point 3: This point is based on our Shelter behaviour outlined in the Job Description: ‘We create change and align behind our strategy’. Creative, innovative and results driven, you will be comfortable leading change, and great at initiating action even when that involves making tough strategic choices.

Point 4: This point is based on our Shelter behaviours outlined in the Job Description: ‘We prioritise diversity and have an inclusive and open mindset. As a supportive line manager and colleague, you will help to create spaces where different people can safely challenge each other and learn, and where wellbeing is a priority.

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave, enhanced family friendly policies, pension and interest free travel loans. Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, payroll giving, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme.

Shelter helps millions of people every year struggling with bad housing or homelessness through our advice, support and legal services. And we campaign to make sure that, one day, no one will have to turn to us for help. We’re here so no one has to fight bad housing and homelessness on their own.

To find out more about the role and the benefits of working for Shelter please visit our website. Apply to be part of our team and be the change you want to see in society. 

Safeguarding is everyone's business. Shelter is committed to protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. All our staff will be expected to observe professional standards of behaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies.

Shelter does not accept unsolicited CVs of external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.