Communications Executive

The Communications Executive will sit within the Science Communications team, a multifaceted group that helps tell the story around our science and the impact it’s making for people living with dementia. The team make dementia research accessible and inspiring to the public across a range of channels, including social media, digital content and the press.

Working closely with researchers who are vital in supporting the charity’s fundraising activities, the team also helps create engaging content relating to our research activities that will inspire support of our work.

The Executive will support the wider department through the management of content and the coordination of internal and external events, which requires liaising with our dementia researchers.  The role also involves providing essential administrative and logistical support to the wider department and will report into the Senior Science Communications Officer, helping to support communications with our research community.

We are looking for someone with strong communication and organisation skills, great attention to detail and the ability to work across multiple projects, prioritise and work to deadlines. This is the perfect role for someone looking to work within communications and engagement, who has an interest in medical research.

Main duties and responsibilities of the role:

Scientist liaison and events coordination

·         Leading on handling requests from teams for ARUK-funded scientists to host lab tours and speak at fundraising and public engagement events.

·         Arranging internal events/workshops and activities that showcases the charity's research to the organisation.

·         Helping to coordinate and deliver external events for researchers, including engagement activities, training days and workshops.

·         Help produce content including presentations, lay summaries and briefings for speakers and events for the Science Communications team.

·         Support Senior Science Communications Officer with the delivery of communications for Alzheimer’s Research UK’s scientific conference.

Content management

·         Assisting the department with digital content management, including uploading blogs and news stories onto ARUK-managed websites.

·         Ensuring that content and information is easily accessible through the intranet and other internal communications channels.

·         Assist in developing multimedia science content, such as videos and infographics.

·         Provide copywriting support.

·         Co-ordinate production of daily news summaries from the communications department to share with employees on our intranet.

Media relations

·         Helping to support the team with monitoring ARUK media coverage, including working with our media monitoring provider to ensure the platform is accurate and up to date.

·         Supporting the team to create media coverage reports on campaigns and monthly round-ups of our daily-news summaries.

·         Being part of the news desk and supporting the wider team with managing media requests.

What we are looking for:

·         Confidence working with computers; knowledge of Word, Excel and Outlook.

·         Demonstrable administrative experience or relevant transferable skills.

·         Experience building and managing relationships with others both within and outside the organisation.

·         A creative eye, with strong oral and written communication skills.

·         Ability to prioritise and effectively manage multiple tasks.

·         Good planning and organisation skills with excellent attention to detail.

·         A hard-working team player, with ability to use initiative.

·         Friendly and professional demeanour.

·         Willingness and ability to travel independently in the UK and to work outside of regular office hours when needed.

Additional Information:

Ways of working: As part of our Agile ways of working you will be required to work approximately 2 days a week from the office, which is subject to the requirements of the role and the business needs. Flexibility on where you work can be split between working from home and our office.

Roles that are classed as part of the Agile ways of working are not able to claim any costs for Mileage/Travel on Public Transport, Accommodation and/or Meals.  This includes when attending the office for various meetings/events.

Our Office: Our office is at 3 Riverside, Granta Park, Great Abington, Cambridge, CB21 6AD. 

Salary: Circa £23,000 per annum, plus benefits.

Please download the Vacancy Pack on our website for more information.

The closing date for applications is the 3rd November 2024, with interviews likely to be held week commencing the 11th November 2024. We would encourage you to submit your application at the earliest opportunity as the closing date may be brought forward at any time. Please indicate in your covering letter if you are unable to attend an interview on a certain date.

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.

As part of our commitment to be an inclusive employer and ensure fairness and consistency in selecting the best candidate for this role, your CV will be anonymised. Please however note we are unable to anonymise the application question which you are required to complete. When answering this question please remove any personal information, including your name. All questions answered as part of your application are also anonymised and not shared with the hiring panel. The hiring panel will only be made aware of your name and address once you are invited for an interview. Should you need any adjustments at either the application or interview stage, then please contact us via our Website. 

How to apply: Please create an online account using our Online Recruitment Platform which can be accessed through our Job Vacancies page. You will be able to attach your CV to your application and track the status of your application.

About Alzheimer’s Research UK: 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. 

In 2022, we were incredibly proud to be awarded a 3-star accreditation by Best Companies which recognises ‘World Class’ levels of workplace engagement and were also listed in the prestigious Best Companies lists:

• 48th in the 100 Best Large Companies to Work For in the UK.

• 19th in the 100 Best Companies to Work For in the East of England.

• 3rd in the 50 Best Companies to Work For in the Charity Sector.

In addition, we were also shortlisted for a special award recognising the work undertaken on reducing our environmental impact.

In 2021, we were awarded the HR Management award by The Charity Times for our Wellbeing initiatives throughout the pandemic.

In 2020, we demonstrated our commitment to changing the way we think and act about mental health in the workplace and signed the Time to Change Employer Pledge. 

ARUK really does look after its people, where you will be able to add value and make a difference. 

To view further details about working for us and the benefits we offer, please visit Alzheimer’s Research UK