Salary: £57,000 - £62,000 per annum
Hours: Full time, Monday - Friday, 37.5 hours a week.
Location: Harlow Essex. We offer blended working within this role – with a minimum of two days a week in the office or at key stakeholder meetings externally required.
Reports to: Head of Media and PR.
Direct reports: PR & Media Executive.
About the role
This is a pivotal role for an experienced Communications and PR professional to significantly enhance the visibility and understanding of the Motability Foundation's vital work. You will be instrumental in devising and leading our proactive and reactive media work, shaping our narrative, engaging key stakeholders, increasing understanding and ultimately driving greater impact for disabled people across the UK.
This a really exciting time to be joining the Foundation. With our newly launched five-year strategy, our vision is clear - we want to build transport equity for disabled people in the UK so that they can make the journeys they choose. You will manage and lead a programme of work to navigate complex policy landscapes, champion the stories of our beneficiaries, and work to demystify disability and mobility issues for a broad audience.
This role requires a strategic thinker who can not only execute but also advise senior leadership and Trustees on communication best practices and opportunities. The role holder is responsible for continuously developing and leading on all media and PR activities. With a strong news sense, you will help develop and execute forward-thinking PR plans and strategies for the organisation, manage our external profile and raise awareness of the work we do, aligned to our vision, and manage our press office, including building strong relationships with journalists.
If you are a proactive and motivated media and PR individual looking for an exciting new challenge within a friendly, flexible, and supportive team, then this could be the role for you
What you will be doing
* Develop and deliver integrated communications and PR strategies that elevate the Foundation's profile and impact.
* Lead proactive media relations, cultivating strong relationships with journalists across national, regional, and specialist media to secure impactful coverage.
* Act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on all communications matters, providing expert counsel and crisis communications support.
* Oversee the creation of compelling content across all channels, ensuring consistent messaging and brand voice.
* Alongside colleagues in the digital team, drive digital engagement strategies, leveraging social media and digital platforms to complement press work to reach, engage and amplify diverse audiences.
* Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of PR and communications activities, providing insights and recommendations for continuous improvement.
* Lead all media and press activity. You will manage the day-to-day running of the Motability Foundation press office, providing an efficient service that makes the most of reactive and proactive media opportunities and builds our reputation with the media.
* Scan effectively for breaking news stories relevant to our areas of work, as well as horizon scanning for potential areas of future coverage.
* Working with colleagues in Public Affairs, Policy, Insight and Evaluation and our Transport Solutions Team, take a lead on proactive media activity around our policy, campaigns and research activity.
* Scan for areas of reputational risk and support the Head of Media and PR with preparing for and handling reputational risk.
* Lead on crisis, media enquiries and messaging, implementing the necessary checks and actions to protect the Foundation's reputation and brand.
* Develop and deliver a briefing and training programme for key spokespeople, developing key messaging and Q&As.
* Manage the press and PR budget.
* Manage the continuous development of our PR & Media Executive using a mixture of external, internal and on the job training.
What will make you great in this role?
You will have a strong track record of securing high profile media coverage, ideally for a national charity dealing in disability, health or social issues. You will have a great news sense and the ability to develop strong relationships with journalists to confidently identify stories and make them work for different media outlets. You will have a flair for writing engaging copy, an eye for detail and an unwavering commitment to meeting deadlines. You can work at pace where needed and identify priorities and manage multiple projects. You will be used to briefing and supporting spokespeople to do media interviews and speaking opportunities.
You will be proactive and a strong team player as this role will need to work closely with colleagues across the communications team and wider organisation. You will be able to take the lead in some areas and lend a hand in others. You will have great people skills and will be comfortable working with people from all walks of life, from your communications colleagues to our case studies to Directors and Board Members.
Your experience
* Proven track record of success in a dedicated PR role, ideally within a charity, public sector, or purpose-driven organisation.
* Demonstrable experience in developing and executing successful media relations strategies, securing high-profile coverage.
* Expertise in crisis communications and issues management, with the ability to respond effectively under pressure.
* Strong understanding of the UK media landscape and established relationships with key journalists.
* Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex information into clear, compelling narratives for diverse audiences.
* Strong understanding in managing and optimising digital communication channels, including social media strategy and content.
* Ability to work autonomously, manage multiple projects, and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
* Experience working with or for disabled people's organisations or charities.
* Understanding of public affairs or policy influencing.
* Experience partnering with and managing external agencies or consultants.
* Experience of line management.
Benefits
WHAT MOTABILITY CAN OFFER YOU
A career with Motability can offer you so much more than earning potential. We pride ourselves in offering some fantastic benefits and a culture to match, some of which includes;
Holiday – 26 Days + 8 Bank Holidays, increasing to 28 days after 5 years' service
Health and Wellbeing – We offer private health care with BUPA alongside an Employee Assistance Programme, eye tests, flu vaccinations, enhanced sick pay and discounted corporate gym membership. We take your physical AND Mental Health seriously, with our dedicated mental health first aiders you will have support and understanding from your colleagues.
Family Friendly – We offer enhanced Parental Leave inclusive of Adoption Pay and we understand that families require flexibility, we provide time off for dependants, flexible working hours and the option to work from home. Life Assurance is 4 x your salary.
Diversity and Inclusion - We value everyone's unique qualities and celebrate having a diverse and inclusive culture where everyone feels safe to be their authentic selves, no matter their age, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, neurodiversity or otherwise. This is embedded in to our values and we celebrate our differences and create awareness throughout the year.
Celebrating Success – We love to recognise people that go above and beyond with our Spotlight Award as well as having team celebrations and social events throughout the year.
Our culture - In the Motability office we "dress for our day", it's an incredibly welcoming and inclusive environment where we look to support your career, we offer a mini bus service from Harlow Town centre and station for those using public transport to reach us and there are plenty of free hot beverages for when you arrive.
Pension – Up to 15%, inclusive of a 10% non-contributory addition and Motability matching your contributions up to 5%.
How to find out more?
To find out more regarding the vacancy and for the full job description, please contact our Talent Team at:
Here at Motability Foundation, we embrace and value Equity, Diversity and Inclusion which means bringing your full self to work. We encourage and welcome all applications, regardless of age, gender identity, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or disability.
We are a disability confident employer, so please do make us aware of any reasonable adjustments you might need throughout both the recruitment process and to work with us.
We are committed to offering to interview every applicant with a disability who meets the minimum criteria for the role. Please tick the relevant box when filling out your application.