Science Communications Manager

Post

Science Communications Manager

Responsible to

Head of Research

Works closely with

Impact Manager

Communications Manager

Director of Marketing & Communications

Purpose

The Science Communications Manager is responsible for delivering creative and engaging scientific content, for internal and external audiences to promote the charity’s research, fundraising initiatives and brand. Reporting directly to the Head of Research, the Communications Manager will be responsible for managing the scientific content, ensuring its accuracy in all the charity’s communications.

Key responsibilities:

Delivering inspiring content

·  Stay abreast of developments in cancer research at a national and international level and react accordingly.

·  Develop an in-depth knowledge of the charity’s research portfolio and identify the most exciting and innovative research to inspire our different audiences.

·  Produce engaging scientific content, which will bring our brand values to life, for all communication channels e.g. printed resources, digital, including social media, website and blog, direct marketing materials, press releases, film etc.

·  Work with the Impact Manager, Communications Manager and the Director of Marketing & Communications to deliver the Impact Report, the Annual Review, bi-annual supporter newsletter, monthly e-newsletter and other key corporate publications.

·  Act as a scientific spokesperson for the charity in the media, including TV and radio, and at fundraising events.

·  Develop and deliver a training programme to ensure fundraising staff are well briefed on the research we support and its impact, are confident in talking about it, and can inspire our supporters.

Relationship management

·  Develop close working relationships with internal and external stakeholders at all levels, including the research, marketing & communications and fundraising teams, scientists, and marketing agencies.

·  Ensure the knowledge and skills of all the research team are used by the wider charity.

·  Respond to queries from members of the public with discretion and empathy, regarding cancer research or their experiences of cancer.

Management and leadership

·  Proactively seize opportunities to ensure our research is central to all external communications.

·  Develop an integrated communications plan, including digital content, with the Impact Manager and the marketing & communications team and lead on delivering inspiring scientific content.

·  Responsible for ensuring the scientific accuracy of all external communications including editing the work of others as required.

·  Assess the current resource in the science communications team and lead on plans to expand if required.

Generic Information to all Roles

1.  The responsibilities described within the job description are not intended as exclusive or exhaustive. They are to highlight the major duties of the role and the post holder may be required to undertake other duties that are consistent with the overall purpose of the role.

2.  It is expected that every job description will be subject to an annual review. In addition, posts may be reviewed where there is a change in the requirements of the charity.

3.  Every member of staff is expected to be a role model to others within the charity and those they encounter in the course of their duties, upholding the charity’s values.

Person specification

Requirements / Essential / Desirable
Educational attainment / Higher degree (MSc, PhD) in a biomedical or related field / Science Communications qualification/training
Knowledge required / Broad knowledge of the cancer research field and the funding environment
Excellent, and up-to-date, scientific understanding, particularly of cellular and molecular biology
Experience required / Experience of working in the science communication field and of science writing / Third sector experience including fundraising experience
Proven track record of writing engaging content for press releases and articles
Experience of producing digital content including social media and online channels / Understanding of the essentials for search engine optimisation (SEO)
Experience of public speaking for non-scientific audiences / Experience of working with the media e.g. radio and TV interviews
Specific IT skills / Proficient in Word and PowerPoint
Communication skills / Proven excellent written and verbal communication skills
Ability to produce accurate and inspiring content for a wide range of non-scientific audiences, requiring minimal editing
Ability to communicate confidently, and at the right level, with a wide variety of audiences, including scientists and senior stakeholders
Skills and aptitudes required / Can work independently, prioritising own workload, with minimal supervision
Proactive and results driven
Ability to clearly communicate, and manage roles and responsibilities, within a project team
Excellent interpersonal and team-playing skills and the proven ability to build effective working relationships with colleagues at all levels and with external contacts
Attention to detail
Personal qualities / Drive, enthusiasm and passion for the charity’s vision, mission and strategy
A creative mind-set
Confidence, resilience and the ability to remain calm under pressure
Discretion, honesty and integrity
Personal Circumstances / Attendance at meetings and conferences throughout the UK, occasionally out of office hours, including overnight stays.

Worldwide Cancer Research

Madras House, St Andrews, Fife, Scotland, KY16 9EH
Registered in Scotland, No 152991, Charity No SC022918

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