Meningitis Research Foundation Head Of Communications Maternity Cover Job Purpose

MENINGITIS RESEARCH FOUNDATION HEAD OF COMMUNICATIONS Maternity cover JOB PURPOSE Responsible for the management and administration of the Communications Department of Meningitis Research Foundation, in consultation with the Chief Executive, in the execution of the policies established by the Board of Trustees, and to provide functional support to Branch offices in Scotland, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland. To develop and achieve the charity’s Communications objectives and strategy in consultation with the Chief Executive and the Senior Management Team (SMT) to agreed annual targets and budgets, including the management and promotion of the Foundation’s corporate identity. To draw up educational and awareness plans for the whole charity, and to implement these initiatives in England and Wales, and support the implementation of the same in Scotland, Northern and Southern Ireland in conjunction with the appropriate staff. To promote all aspects of the Foundation’s work to the media, health professionals, and other interested audiences, and the general public, and in conjunction with the Chief Executive to act as one of the main media spokespeople. To generate good quality media coverage of all aspects of the Foundation’s activities, including awareness campaigns and initiatives, fundraising activities and research programme. To initiate/assist wherever possible in obtaining income for the charity. To keep abreast of latest developments and legal and statutory requirements in the field of Communications activities, and apply them appropriately within the Foundation. REPORTS TO: Chief Executive RESPONSIBLE FOR: Communications Manager, Communications Officer, Publications Officer Works closely with: Head of Research and Medical Information, Head of Fundraising, Satellite Office Managers

DUTIES STAFF MANAGEMENT To lead, motivate, guide and monitor the Communications staff team, ensuring they comply with all the Foundation policies, legislation, statutory requirements, and other relevant procedures. Management and administration of the work of the Communications team in Head Office and functional support for this aspect of work in Satellite Offices, in consultation with the Chief Executive. Responsible for the recruitment, training, development and performance of the Head Office Communications team, and to assist with the induction and support for staff in the Satellite Offices in this work. PLANNING & BUDGETING To prepare plans for Communication activities, in conjunction with the appropriate members of SMT and other staff, and agree with the Chief Executive. This includes, but is not limited to: Awareness & Fundraising Campaigns; the production of resources; Conferences and Exhibitions, all of which help achieve the Foundation’s charitable objects and promote the Charity’s corporate identity. To contribute to the overall strategic planning of the charity in conjunction with the Chief Executive and other members of the SMT Negotiate and liaise with potential and existing sponsors in agreement with the Head of Fundraising and for awareness events and activities with the Chief Executive. To monitor progress of the team against plans and budgets, and report regularly to the Chief Executive. MEDIA WORK To ensure the development of good media relations, and work pro-actively with them to generate quality media coverage of meningitis issues, and of the Foundation’s research, awareness, befriending and support, and fundraising activities, and to promote the Foundation’s corporate identity. To act as one of the main media spokespeople for the charity. To identify and create media opportunities, and to give a prompt and effective response to all media enquiries or reports about meningitis, including out of hours.

To ensure media coverage of meningitis/septicaemia issues and the work of the Foundation is effectively monitored. To manage the initiation and co-ordination of press and media activity for all aspects of the charity’s work, including overseeing the preparation of media information packs, managing the media databases, establishing a programme of press releases on identified opportunities, placing features, organising media events and photo calls, and press launches, in conjunction with other staff where appropriate, and fielding appropriate personnel as media representatives for specific issues. PUBLIC RELATIONS Manage the administration and organisation of Conferences and Exhibitions, Communication department mailshots, PR events and other methods of disseminating research findings and promoting the work of the Foundation to the public, health professionals, policy and decision makers and other interested parties. To initiate plans /assist wherever possible with Fundraising to generate income for the above. Manage the production of Microscope and other publications. To develop and regularly review Awareness and general PR materials and resources to ensure that they continue to be effective for their purpose, and comply with the statutory requirements, and corporate identity guidelines. Work with other Departments and Offices of the Foundation to ensure materials, resources and mailshots developed by them comply with corporate identity guidelines, and that all staff have access to latest guidelines via the “Song Sheet” and Corporate Style Guide sections of the Staff Handbook. PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT To contribute to the overall development of the Foundation through establishing positive working relationships and effective lines of communication with the Chief Executive, SMT and other partners and stakeholders. To take responsibility for own development and training needs, in consultation with the Chief Executive. To keep abreast of all aspects of the Foundation’s work, including the Foundation’s research programme, and current developments in the field of meningitis and septicaemia. To carry out other duties as reasonable required by the Chief Executive and/or the Board of Trustees. Nov 09