Head of Content and News - 6 Month FTC

Job Introduction

The Head of Content & News is responsible for driving impactful external communications and developing content that supports every area of our work at Diabetes UK. Whether that’s ensuring critical health information reaches the people who need it most, influencing decision makers, deepening understanding of the cause with the wider public, sharing our latest research breakthroughs, or supporting the fundraising that’s essential to delivering our vision of a world where diabetes can do no harm.

We have a friendly and inclusive working environment here at Diabetes UK and are proud of our hybrid approach which allows great flexibility in the way that we work. This means that you can balance your working time between home and the office, subject to the needs of your role.

Interview dates

Stage 1: 25 & 26 June 2024 (MS Teams)

Stage 2: 2 July 2024 (face-to-face in London)

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 recruitment@diabetes.org.uk

Our current Head of Content & News is moving on after seven years at Diabetes UK, so we’re looking for someone brilliant to join the team on an interim basis to help us deliver our ambitious plans during this period of change.  

Role Responsibility

The Head of Content & News is responsible for leading a team of content and media professionals responsible for external communications, PR, storytelling, celebrity and influencer liaison, printed and digital content, SEO and our digital experience.

This highly influential role leads our work with the national media, helping to support our strategic outcomes by reaching audiences at scale.

The role oversees media strategies and the development of external comms plans to support key pieces of work and campaigns. It heads up our busy press office, manages the team responsible for creating and publishing high quality health information and content - including our fabulous membership magazines - and oversees our website.  It’s a pivotal role that works closely with teams across the charity, including our social team, nations and regions comms colleagues and our Executive Team.

The Ideal Candidate

We’re looking for a highly experienced professional who has the skills to influence at all levels within and outside an organisation, who can translate complex information into clear and compelling communications, and understands the power of getting the right content, in the right way, to the people who need it most.

Likely to have a background in PR or journalism, our successful candidate will draw together technical competence and experience, along with an inspirational, inclusive approach, to ensure we can work collaboratively across our communications to drive impact for people living with and affected by diabetes. The successful candidate will be an experienced and supportive people manager, with the ability to cut through complexity and lead with clarity, energy and ambition.

Package Description

What we can offer you: 

• Generous annual leave starting at 25 days plus bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time)
• A Cash Healthcare Plan (giving you up to £1,600 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 (not applicable to roles with fixed shift patterns)
• 2 Days TOIL in recognition of fixed shift patterns (pro-rata for part-time)
• 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