Senior Media Officer

This is an exciting time to join a growing organisation already established as a leading voice in the responsible investment space, and to play your part in helping shape a fairer, healthier, more sustainable future. The global investment system has an oversized impact on challenges from the climate crisis and biodiversity loss to poverty and inequality. We want to make sure that impact is positive. At ShareAction we work with investors, policymakers, and individuals to unleash the positive potential of the investment system. We aim to build a world where our financial system serves our planet and its people.

Team

This role is part of ShareAction’s dynamic communications team, which leads media and digital activity, manages the website and publications, and ensures a consistent and compelling brand story. Our four-person press office carry out reactive and proactive media relations to position ShareAction as a thought leader on responsible investment, and shape impactful media activity to support the goals of our campaigns on tackling climate change, championing fair treatment of workers, protecting nature, and shaping healthier societies, as well as advocacy towards the UK government and EU institutions.

Position

You’ll be the junior member of ShareAction’s four-person media team, reporting into the Senior Media Manager. You might have a couple of years’ experience working in a press office, agency or as a journalist and a track record of securing positive coverage. You’ll collaborate with colleagues across the organisation, developing and implementing media activity to maximise awareness of our priority messages and hard-hitting research among target audiences. An excellent writer and communicator, you’ll have an instinct for a story and be able to build strong relationships with journalists.

What you’ll do (key responsibilities)

• With guidance from the Senior Media Manager, advise colleagues, give feedback, and develop media and communications activity for specific projects. These could be promoting our research or supporting our campaigns on social and environmental issues.
• Play an active part in the smooth running of ShareAction’s press office: organising press lists, pitching stories, and providing high-quality timely responses to media requests and reactive opportunities. Some occasional out of hours working may be required to support major launches or urgent enquiries (we offer flexible working and time off in lieu (TOIL) for these occasions).
• Draft media materials including press releases, briefings, and op eds to communicate ShareAction’s work in an accessible and engaging manner to target public and specialist audiences.
• Support colleagues across the organisation to engage effectively with the media, by briefing and preparing talking points and Q&As and facilitating spokesperson training sessions.
• Build and maintain relationships with key journalists and commentators across specialist and mainstream media. Keep up to date with relevant news and trends and identify opportunities to promote our messages.
• Work with the Senior Media Manager to monitor, evaluate and regularly report on media activity.
• Be a brand champion, ensuring content is aligned with tone of voice, house style and messaging guidelines (all of which you’ll receive training on).
• Demonstrate a commitment to ShareAction’s values (independence, courage, persistence, inclusivity, and respect) and vision of a world where the financial system serves our planet and its people.

Requirements

What you’ll bring to the team

• Some experience working in a press office, agency or as a journalist and a track record of securing positive coverage.
• You’ll have a proactive approach and excellent written and verbal communications skills and be able to work efficiently under pressure in a fast-paced team and organisation.
• With great interpersonal skills, you’ll be able to build productive relationships with colleagues across the organisation and key external contacts.
• You’ll be passionate about ShareAction’s vision of a world where the financial system serves our planet and people, and committed to our values of independence, courage, persistence, and respect.
• You’ll be proficient with common computer software including Microsoft Office.

Desirable

• Knowledge or experience of communications within a campaigning or advocacy organisation.

What we will do for you

Working at ShareAction is an opportunity to help make a difference tackling some of the world’s biggest social and environmental challenges. We offer opportunities for you to develop your skills and experience in a friendly, flexible, and supportive working environment.

• Introductory training on the financial system and capital markets as well as informal ‘lunch & learn’ sessions with expert guests.
• Membership of CharityComms and opportunities to attend relevant webinars and training, as well as access to its online resources and mentoring scheme.
• A structured settling in period to allow you to fully grasp what ShareAction does and how we communicate.
• Access to a flexible office space in central London and regular social events with colleagues. The full communications team aims to meet at least once a month in person while many colleagues are in the office several times a week.

For further information and to apply, please visit our website via the ‘Apply’ button.

Closing date: 9.00am on Monday 25th March 2024.

Interview dates: First stage, Friday 5th and Monday 8th April 2024.

We have a London office, and actively encourage staff to work in ways that best suit their needs and our flexible working policy outlines many of the options available - such as part-time and term-time working, job sharing, home working and working compressed hours. Please talk to us at the interview about the flexibility you need. We can’t promise to give you exactly what you want, but we do promise not to judge you for asking.

ShareAction’s London office is based in vibrant Aldgate and a short walk from Aldgate East underground. Hybrid and remote working will remain the norm for many ShareAction staff, with office space available for those who wish to use it.

Please note that to be considered for this post you must be legally eligible to work in the UK. Due to current restrictions, we are unable to hire anyone that isn’t already living in the UK. Due to our size, we are unable to sponsor visas.

Please refrain from using any AI tools to write your answers, as this will result in immediate disqualification for the role.

ShareAction values and respects all differences in people (seen and unseen) and welcomes applications from all backgrounds, communities, and industries. We are committed to having a team that is made up of diverse skills, experiences and abilities and so if you are not 100 percent sure that you meet all the requirements but believe you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply and use the application questions to tell us about your experience and what you hope to bring to this role.