Media & PR Manager

Salary Circa £50,000 per annum

Contract type Permanent

Location Great Abington, Cambridge CB21 6AD (Agile; approximately 2 days a week from our office)

Published

21 hours ago

Closing

in 18 days

This is a Permanent, , Full Time vacancy that will close in 18 days at 23:59 BST.

The Vacancy

The Communications team is responsible for informing, inspiring and engaging the public by showcasing Alzheimer’s Research UK’s work, impact and mission across all channels. We lead the charity’s media and strategic communications activity—ensuring consistent, accurate and compelling storytelling that supports research, fundraising and organisational priorities.

The Media & PR Manager leads Alzheimer’s Research UK’s press office, driving proactive and reactive media activity that strengthens the charity’s reputation. The role provides strategic direction, manages day‑to‑day press office activity and ensures high‑quality communication of research, policy and organisational priorities. They line manage a team of five and are a vital part of ability to promote and explain the charity’s research, advocacy and impact.

MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Strategic Leadership & Planning

• Lead the planning and delivery of proactive press activity around research announcements, policy interventions, organisational milestones and major campaigns.
• Monitor the media landscape and conduct short‑term horizon scanning to inform reactive content and up‑to‑date comment.
• Guide and support colleagues across the organisation to determine how to achieve the greatest impact and results from communications activities.

Delivery & Oversight

• Oversee reactive media handling, including high‑risk or complex enquiries, ensuring clear messaging, timely escalation and consistent advice.
• Manage the day‑to‑day press office function, ensuring efficient workflows, high‑quality output, and effective management of breaking news cycles, Daily News Summaries and Friday roundups.
• Oversee and coordinate the out‑of‑hours press office rota and response processes.
• Work with the Metrics & Insights function to track media performance and use insights to refine media approaches.
• A high‑performing press office with strong systems and high‑quality output.
• Increased visibility of ARUK research and impact across national and specialist media.
• Effective handling of sensitive or high‑profile media moments.
• Strong spokespeople and external relationships.
• Integrated communications across ARUK strategic priorities.

Cross‑Team & Stakeholder Collaboration

• Build and maintain strong relationships with national, broadcast, regional and specialist journalists.
• Guide and support spokespeople — including scientists, clinicians and senior leaders — ensuring they are well briefed for media interviews.
• Work with the social media Team to identify and support newsjacking opportunities and ensure aligned messaging across ARUK channels.
• Collaborate with Content, Research Communications, Corporate Communications, Policy, Fundraising and Marketing teams to ensure an integrated and coherent cross‑channel communications approach.
• Embed best practice when working with Media and Communications Volunteers to share the stories of people affected by dementia.

Team Leadership & Development

• Line manage Senior Media & PR Officers / Media Officers, overseeing workload, development and performance.

Governance, Risk & Resource Management

• Contribute to crisis and issues preparedness, advising on reputational risks and leading media responses when required.

 

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

• Significant experience in a press office or PR role, ideally covering science, health or research.
  Strong track record of delivering national or broadcast media coverage.
• Experience leading or line‑managing team members.
• Experience managing complex media issues or crisis situations.
  Understanding of research landscape and policy environment.
• Understanding of celebrity and influencers media opportunities.
• Ability to translate complex scientific and policy information into compelling media content.
• Knowledge of safeguarding and working with vulnerable individuals
• Excellent news judgement and media instincts.
• Outstanding writing, editing and messaging skills.
• Confident leadership and team guidance abilities.
• Strong stakeholder and journalist relationship‑building skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and high‑pressure scenarios.
• Sound decision‑making and collaborative working style.
• Proactive, solution‑focused approach.

The closing date for applications is the 31st May 2026, with interviews being arrange once shortlisting has been completed. Please indicate in your covering letter if you are unable to attend an interview on a certain date. We would encourage you to submit your application at the earliest opportunity, as on occasion we may have to bring forward the interview date and/or the closing date based on the needs of the business. Although a possibility, this will only happen in exceptional circumstances. Please indicate in your covering letter if you are unable to attend an interview on a certain date.

The Company has experienced unprecedented growth over the past few years. We have a vast number of employees, and provide support to clients from all over the country. Recently, the company has won multiple workplace environment awards and has an outstanding record of employee satisfaction.

The Benefits

Benefit 1

Benefit 2

Benefit 3

Benefit 4

The Values

• Innovation

We are creative and fearless in our work.

• Accountability

We take ownership of our work and lead from the front.

• Teamwork

We collaborate widely and build supportive environments.

The Charity

Alzheimer's Research UK is the UK's leading dementia research charity. Our mission is to accelerate progress towards a cure. Today 1 in 2 people will be impacted by dementia, either through caring for a loved one, developing it themselves or tragically both. But there is hope.

There has never been a more important and exciting time in dementia research. With promising new drugs in clinical trials that slow the progression of the diseases that cause it, and revolutionary new ways to diagnose them on the horizon, we are now at a tipping point. Working with the smartest minds globally and across the UK, with industry and academia, Alzheimer’s Research UK is uniquely placed to invest in the very best research identifying barriers to a cure and knocking them down so that there are more and better treatments for everyone with dementia. For the first time in history, we can see a future where people with dementia can get a swift and accurate diagnosis, and effective treatments that could slow or even stop their disease. We stand for everyone affected by dementia. We stand for a cure.

We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential.  We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under-represented.  Any offer of employment is however subject to you having the right to work in the UK.

The Benefits

It is important to offer a range of benefits which are designed to meet both the organisational and individual needs, are market competitive and designed to attract and retain employees.

For more details on working for Alzheimer's Research UK click here.

Holiday entitlement

Healthcare

Sick pay

Pension

Cycle to work scheme

Family friendly policies

Learning & development

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