Job Description

Description

Contract Type:

Permanent, Full-Time

Salary Band:

29,900 - 33,250 (plus 2,200 London weighting if applicable)

Hours:

5 days per week; 9AM-5.30PM (flexible working hours available).

Start date:

As soon as possible

Location:

We operate a hybrid model of work. When in the office you will be based in one of our regional offices (either Birmingham, Glasgow, Liverpool, London or Newcastle - depending on preference and accessibility).

The Opportunity

This role is central to shaping and delivering the Social Mobility Foundation's media, public affairs, and campaigning work, alongside the Campaigns Manager. You will influence changemakers - including politicians and journalists - through strategic media, political, and social media interventions. You will also collaborate with our Young Campaigners to amplify their voices and co-create impactful campaigns with them that drive systemic change.

1. Helping to plan and deliver campaigns activity, both planned and reactive, including:

Organising campaign events e.g. Parliamentary receptions and communicating our campaigns online and on social media. Assisting the Campaigns Manager to commission research and polling support our campaigning. Monitoring parliamentary activity, and horizon scanning - considering how political developments may affect our campaigning work, providing opportunities and risks.

2. Leading our media work to maximise the impact of our campaigning, building awareness of social mobility as an issue amongst influential and informed audiences:

Developing and executing media and communication plans to support our campaign goals. Monitoring the media and responding to stories that allow us to land our key messages, share our point of view and platform SMF young people. Responding to requests from journalists for comment and advising and briefing members of staff on how to respond.

3. Co-create campaigns alongside our Young Campaigners and engage them in delivering and designing campaign activity:

Developing and facilitate spaces for our Young Campaigners to co-create campaign activities and take actions to influence changemakers. Working with young people to share their experiences, through speaking at events and other campaigning opportunities. Training and supporting young people to speak to the media, ensuring safeguarding processes are embedded and providing follow up pastoral support where needed.
See attached job description for more detail on the key responsibilities in the role

Person Specification

Experience of working within a media, campaigning, public affairs or political environment. Excellent understanding of the UK political system and political processes and a thorough understanding of public affairs tactics. Experience of planning and delivering projects or campaigns in a charity, political or media context. Excellent copywriting skills, with experience of writing press releases, quotes, interview briefings, social media posts and opinion pieces. Experience of successfully influencing policy or practice. Experience of speaking to journalists, succinctly describing our positions, handling media enquiries and making recommendations to senior colleagues on next steps.
See attached job description for more detail on the person specification

Benefits

36/37 days (England & Wales and Scotland respectively - includes bank and public holidays and three days to be taken between Christmas and New Year) plus up to 3 days additional annual leave increasing with length of service. Time off in lieu for work outside contractual hours Employer pension contributions of 5% plus salary sacrifice contribution the equivalent of Employer National Insurance after a satisfactory completion of your probationary period Flexible work options such as hybrid working, flexitime, part-time Cycle to Work scheme

How to Apply

If you are interested in applying for this role, please head over to our website by

23:59, Tuesday 2nd December

and submit:

a) A cover letter (no longer than 700 words) outlining your previous experience, your motivation and your suitability for the role.

b) A 500-word op-ed written for our CEO, Sarah Atkinson on why the government should make large employers report on their class pay gap, linking this to a recent news hook, relevant events or political moments happening soon.

c) A short email pitching your op-ed to the comment editor of the Guardian.

If you have any questions about the role, please contact the hiring manager Beccy Forrow: beccy.forrow@socialmobility.org.uk

Interviews:

First round interviews will take place from Monday 8th and Wednesday 10th December with multiple slots available at different times throughout the working day.



Interview candidates may be asked to complete online tests; this will be arranged after interview.

About The Social Mobility Foundation

The Social Mobility Foundation is an award-winning national charity that aims to make a practical difference in social mobility.
It is our mission to unlock potential, broaden horizons and create opportunities with and for ambitious young people who face structural barriers in education and work because of where they grew up, went to school or the occupation of their parents or guardians. We do this by:

directly supporting students

aged 16+ with university applications; professional mentoring; skills sessions and internships, through our Aspiring Professionals Programmes

influencing employers

through our Employer Index as well as speaker events and training to ensure people from working class backgrounds can get in and get on in professional life. *

advocating for social mobility

and seeking to influence policy making at both local and national government level through our campaigns.