Assistant Director of Marketing & Communications

Job Introduction

This is an exciting opportunity to lead the work of our marketing and communications, to shape how we increase awareness of and connection to Diabetes and the work of Diabetes UK. We have achieved considerable success over recent years, with the launch of our brand campaign, new fundraising and communications activities really hitting the mark with our target audiences, and awareness growing of what life with diabetes is like, and the difference we are seeking to make.

There is so much more to do. We want to take an even more long term, strategic and joined up engagement approach, using our resources wisely to concentrate on key groups to make the maximum impact. We want to grow awareness, understanding, and warmth - helping people to feel more connected to and engaged with our work, as well as driving income growth.

Working within our Engagement and Fundraising directorate, and providing support and collaboration across the whole organisation, this is an opportunity to really bring your strategic skills to the fore, and help to create another step change in the profile or Diabetes and the work of Diabetes UK.

Interview Dates

Stage 1: Tuesday 16 August 2022 (via MS Teams)

Stage 2: Friday 19 August 2022 (face-to-face; E1 1FH)

Please note that all job offers are subject to you providing acceptable evidence of your eligibility to work in the UK.  You might find the following resources useful:

• To view a full list of accepted documents and the checks employers are required to make click here
• To view guidance on proving your right to work to an employer click here

 If you have any questions, please contact HRAdvice@diabetes.org.uk   

Role Responsibility

You will take a long term approach, developing and driving our communications strategy, supporting our overall engagement aims to establish long term, sustainable, meaningful relationships with a whole host of audiences including public and professionals. You will set and evaluate clear metrics for success so we can track our progress.

Working across many disciplines including above and below the line brand campaigns, press and content and crisis comms, you will join up our activity to have the maximum impact. You will be audience focussed, understanding who we need to engage with to change how they think and feel about Diabetes, and what they do, including helping to support the work of our fundraising directorate to drive income growth. You will champion and pilot innovation in our approaches,

Leading a team of experienced and ambitious professionals, you will help them to see how their work comes together to meet our goals, and how every day they are able to see the difference their work makes to the lives of people with diabetes.

The Ideal Candidate

You will be a senior Communications and Marketing professional, with an understanding of how to take brands forward and increase understanding of an issue; with demonstrable experience of driving change in how people think, feel and behave.  

You will be able to think strategically, showing how you can translate high level strategy into delivery plans, so that we can deliver against our goals, and measure our progress against them.

A natural collaborator, you will be experienced in working across organisations, cutting through complexity to show how we are all playing our part in driving change forward.

You’ll have experience across a whole range of communications and marketing activities, including (but not exclusive to) developing messaging frameworks; delivery of brand campaigns; press and content; development of brand assets and crisis communications. And as all of this will need to be audience led, you need to show how you can take insight to drive the most relevant message for the right groups.

This is a busy role leading an energetic and high performing team, and so you will need to enjoy a fast pace, being able to make decisions quickly whilst keeping an eye on the long term changes we are looking to make.

Package Description

What we can offer you: 

• Generous annual leave starting at 25 days plus bank holidays 
• A Cash Healthcare Plan (giving you up to £1,500 towards a range of out of pocket health expenses like new glasses, dentist, chiropractor or osteopath appointments) 
• Early finish Friday and flexible working as part of our approach to activity based working
• Discounts on gym membership
• Employee assistance programme to give you support on any issues that come up in life  
• Annual season ticket loan* (on completion of your probation period and if contract is permanent or longer than 12 months)
• Very active social scene including sport teams, gardening and other activities 
• Generous pension provision, life assurance and income protection insurance
• Cycle to work scheme* (eligible for scheme if contract is permanent or longer than 12 months)

*Some benefits aren't available until you've passed your probation period and are dependent on the length of contract.

About the Company

For nearly 5 million people with diabetes in the UK, there’s no day off. At Diabetes UK, we fight day in, day out for better care, treatment and support. We won’t stop until diabetes can do no harm.

With more people than ever living with diabetes and millions more at risk of developing type 2, our work has never been more needed. We make sure they get the care and support needed to live well with diabetes and avoid devastating complications.

We fund critical research, which has led to life-changing discoveries – like the first insulin pen and programmes to put type 2 diabetes into remission. Now, we want to do this for everyone and find a cure.

We can’t do any of this without you. Our staff are passionate and determined about helping everyone affected by diabetes. For over 85 years, they’ve been behind vital policy changes, as well as new treatments and technologies to make living with diabetes easier every day.

But there’s more to do. And you can be part of it.

We’re a really diverse bunch and we recognise and respect your value as an individual. As well as helping people with diabetes, you’ll be part of one of the top 30 Best UK Charities to Work For, and one of the top 75 Best Large Companies in London.

We’re committed to protecting and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk, and we need our staff and volunteers to support this.

Our vision is a world where diabetes can do no harm. Join us today, and together, we can make that a reality.

To find out more about what we do, check out our website.

Diabetes UK