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UK Communications Manager

Classification: Full Time (40 hours per week)
Location: Remote (must be UK based), the role will be home-based in the UK
Reports to: Executive Director
Salary Band: Manager
Salary: The transparent, formula-based salary range for this position is approximately £33,000 - £51,000. The salary offered will be determined according to a salary scale which takes into account years’ experience, location, job category, and other factors. 

About T1International
T1International is a global grassroots patient advocacy organization led by people with and impacted by diabetes, with a focus on type 1 diabetes. We believe in a world where everyone with type 1 diabetes has the opportunity to thrive, with affordable and sustainable access to the medicine and supplies they need. We are patient led in our work and values, and our team and community reflect a range of allies and impacted communities from caregivers, to parents, to partners, and those committed to health equity work. T1International (T1I) is leading the charge in the fight for affordable insulin and supplies worldwide. We do not accept funding from the pharmaceutical industry or any medical device manufacturer to maintain our independence and ability to speak out freely

About the role
The role of the Communications Manager will be to support our team in all things communication across the organisation to amplify our advocacy efforts around the world. This is a new role at T1International, taking on the work previously done by the Executive Director and informed by a recent assessment of our organisational needs.

This role will supervise a US-based Communications Coordinator who will primarily be focused on US communications in support of our 38 state Chapters and our organisational advocacy work. Therefore, it is important that the Communications Manager be flexible and willing to occasionally work later hours to ensure the Communications team is working in close coordination. The person taking on this role should be prepared to build upon our existing systems and processes to formalise this role, while maintaining strong attention to detail and executing exceptional communication skills to ensure the success of the organisation’s communications, advocacy and fundraising efforts.

Responsibilities

Strategy & Oversight (25%)

  • Owns and leads Communications Team Meetings
  • Creates organisational communications objectives
  • Establishes metrics and systems for monitoring and evaluating the success of social media and other campaigns
  • With Communications Coordinator, reviews and updates planning documents and Communications related Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure clarity for the team and cohesion with other staff teams (i.e. Fundraising)
  • Advances T1I’s equity and inclusion commitments by building equity into the communications strategy, including engagement with less represented populations to ensure full representation across the diversity of the diabetes community

Campaigns & Content (25%)

  • Owns and leads organisational campaign strategies
  • Partners with Development Director (UK based) and Development Manager (US based) on Fundraising Campaigns with regular cross-team meetings
  • Works closely with Communications Coordinator (US based) and Development Coordinator (UK based) to ensure fundraising communications are strong
  • Drafts educational materials and resources for our advocates around the world
  • Leads on coordination of key communications and action alerts in collaboration with the team

Press (20%)

  • Owns and delivers a media strategy for the press, including a review of media contacts to better understand personalities, response preferences, and how they do business
  • Creates relevant press releases and statements, ensuring rapid response protocols are utilised to make the most of events and media opportunities
  • Co-manages the team Press inbox with the Communications Coordinator, including weekend monitoring

Social Media (20%)

  • Oversees and reports on analytics and social media monthly and annual stats
  • Utilises Facebook ads and other promotional tools to best reach new audiences
  • Finalises social media tools for advocates in the USA and beyond, including items like the team press calendar and a graphics review and approval process for our Chapters
  • Creates graphics and other content, including copy drafting

Website (10%)

  • Manages the T1International website and liaises with the web developer on backend coding and updates, and and works with other key consultants where relevant
  • Builds out a communication strategy for blog posts to ensure they support our global work and vision, including managing the post proposal and execution process
  • Carries out comprehensive review of website to refresh content and ensure best use of layout, resources, etc.

Person Specifications

  • 3–5 years demonstrated experience in communications, preferably health-related and working with small teams
  • Direct personal experience with diabetes from a community that is underrepresented in the diabetes space preferred
  • Strong understanding of the lived experience, including management, treatment, terminology and impacts, of type 1 diabetes (and other types of diabetes); and a passion for patient issues and the need to bring the patient voice to the forefront
  • Comfortable executing big-picture communications strategy and detailed plans, and moving between these levels including familiarity or experience with a range of communications tools and approaches
  • Excellent organisational and administrative skills; keen attention to detail; ability to work simultaneously on multiple projects at various stages of completion with minimal direct supervision
  • Is able to prioritise, work independently with deadlines and goals, think critically, and problem-solve with good, independent judgement
  • Good problem-solving skills and a positive, ‘let’s make this work’ attitude with sound judgment, flexibility, determination, and good humor within a young and growing team and organisation
  • Strong communication and collaboration skills, including writing/editing experience
  • Strong virtual presentation, training, and facilitation skills with an emphasis on inclusion/equity
  • Ambitious, creative, and results-oriented initiative and a desire to learn, pitch-in, and anticipate new projects; ability to collaborate, including working closely with staff and volunteer team within T1I, as well as with external partners
  • As a supportive external ambassador of the organisation, represent T1I to key external constituencies; this includes both formal and informal presentations such as making speeches, talking to the press and engaging with the community
  • An absolute commitment to the highest ethical and professional standards
  • A full understanding of T1International's mission, vision and approach to sustainable change
  • Excels with online tools including Google Workspace, social media, and database programs, including working knowledge and experience with Salesforce, desirable
  • Fluent in English, with fluency in another language besides English preferred

Hours and Expectations

  • T1I is a purely remote office environment; you should be prepared to either work from home or a location of your choosing.
  • You will collaborate with colleagues and advocates who are based across the US and the UK in a variety of time zones, including managing a US based employee.
  • Currently, all work is done virtually through video calls and meetings, Slack, and email support. Once it is safe to travel, you may take several domestic trips throughout the year to meet with the team or supporters.
  • The role requires flexibility as there are several monthly meetings and calls with team members or supporters on weeknights and very occasionally, on weekends.

To Apply
Please send the following to contact@t1international.com:

  1. CV (2 pages max)
  2. Cover Letter addressing person specifications (2 pages max)
  3. A sample of material(s) of no more than two pages that you have created that best describes your relevant experience

As a patient-centered organisation, we especially encourage people who have type 1 diabetes to apply. We are also an equal opportunity employer, are committed to racial equity and social justice, and we encourage people of color, women, trans, disabled, and/or other minority groups to apply.

Process
Ideal candidates will be available to start as soon as possible. Application deadline: February 8th, 2022. We will contact candidates on a rolling basis. The application process will likely include a phone screening, at least two video interviews by Google Meet, a task based exercise related to this role and your experience, as well as reference checks.