Location
Great Abington, Cambridge CB21 6AD (Agile; approximately 2 days a week from our office)
Full Time
Published
Not Published
Closing
in X days
This is a Permanent, , Full Time vacancy that will close in {x} days at {xx:xx} BST.
The Vacancy
The Communications Department inspires, informs and engages the public by showcasing Alzheimer’s Research UK’s mission, impact and progress across all channels. We lead the charity’s media and strategic communications activity, ensuring clear, accurate and compelling storytelling that supports research, fundraising and organisational priorities.
The Senior Media & PR Officer plays a key role in raising the profile of ARUK’s research by delivering high‑quality, scientifically accurate media activity, and supporting our policy and brand campaigns.
Operating at Senior Officer level, the postholder leads on proactive and reactive press work related to dementia research, identifies compelling media opportunities and provides expert advice on complex or sensitive stories. Through authoritative and accessible communication, the role strengthens ARUK’s reputation as the UK’s leading voice on dementia science and helps the public and decision-makers understand progress being made toward breakthroughs.
Working as part of the Media & PR Team, the Senior Officer collaborates closely with Research Communications colleagues, the wider Press Team, and partners across Digital, Policy, Content, Fundraising and Strategic Marketing. The postholder develops media materials, prepares spokespeople for interviews, supports media activity around scientific publications, conferences and major research and policy announcements, and helps ensure ARUK’s narrative is clear, engaging and aligned.
They also contribute to the smooth running of the press office, including monitoring the news agenda, drafting reactive responses, supporting media work, and ensuring content is handled ethically, accurately and in line with ARUK’s brand and safeguarding standards.
MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
Delivery & Production
Lead on drafting, pitching and distributing press releases, media statements and channel appropriate content on ARUK-funded research, scientific developments, and policy campaigns.
Prepare accurate briefing materials, Q&As and background notes for spokespeople.
Identify compelling angles for mainstream, specialist and long-form media.
Lead proactive media work around research milestones, new outputs and conferences.
Take a lead role in managing the daily press line, ensuring accurate responses and timely escalation.
Contribute to preparation of the Daily News Summary with clear analysis and timely circulation.
Research & Information Support
Handle complex or sensitive reactive media enquiries, providing advice on risks, messaging and escalation.
Monitor the news agenda and research landscape to identify emerging science stories and opportunities.
Cross‑Team Support & Collaboration
Build and maintain strong relationships with national, broadcast and specialist science/health journalists.
Work with content, digital and social teams on reactive opportunities and aligned messaging.
Work with Research Comms to identify and prepare scientists, clinicians and experts for media opportunities.
Administration, Planning & Coordination
Support improvements in media processes, workflows and systems.
Participate in the Press Office out‑of‑hours rota and provide high‑quality reactive handling.
Quality, Accuracy & Compliance
Ensure high-quality, accurate communication of complex information.
Support crisis and issues‑preparedness planning across the media team.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:
Significant experience in a press office, PR agency or journalism role with a science, health or research focus.
Proven ability to translate complex scientific information into compelling media content.
Experience handling proactive and reactive media issues and delivering high-quality national coverage.
Experience advising spokespeople or senior stakeholders, and providing media support to individuals with lived experience.
Excellent writing and editing skills with strong scientific accuracy.
Strong news judgement and ability to identify impactful opportunities.
Confidence handling high-pressure or time-sensitive issues.
Strong relationship-building skills with journalists and researchers.
Confidence in being able to support and assist junior colleagues.
Highly organised with attention to detail; proactive and collaborative.
The closing date for applications is the 8th November 2026, with interviews being arrange once shortlisting has been completed. Please indicate in your covering letter if you are unable to attend an interview on a certain date. We would encourage you to submit your application at the earliest opportunity, as on occasion we may have to bring forward the interview date and/or the closing date based on the needs of the business. Although a possibility, this will only happen in exceptional circumstances. Please indicate in your covering letter if you are unable to attend an interview on a certain date.
The Company
The Company has experienced unprecedented growth over the past few years. We have a vast number of employees, and provide support to clients from all over the country. Recently, the company has won multiple workplace environment awards and has an outstanding record of employee satisfaction.
The Benefits
Benefit 1
Benefit 2
Benefit 3
Benefit 4
The Values
Innovation
We are creative and fearless in our work.
Accountability
We take ownership of our work and lead from the front.
Teamwork
We collaborate widely and build supportive environments.
The Charity
Alzheimer's Research UK is the UK's leading dementia research charity. Our mission is to accelerate progress towards a cure. Today 1 in 2 people will be impacted by dementia, either through caring for a loved one, developing it themselves or tragically both. But there is hope.
There has never been a more important and exciting time in dementia research. With promising new drugs in clinical trials that slow the progression of the diseases that cause it, and revolutionary new ways to diagnose them on the horizon, we are now at a tipping point. Working with the smartest minds globally and across the UK, with industry and academia, Alzheimer’s Research UK is uniquely placed to invest in the very best research identifying barriers to a cure and knocking them down so that there are more and better treatments for everyone with dementia. For the first time in history, we can see a future where people with dementia can get a swift and accurate diagnosis, and effective treatments that could slow or even stop their disease. We stand for everyone affected by dementia. We stand for a cure.
We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under-represented. Any offer of employment is however subject to you having the right to work in the UK.
The Benefits
It is important to offer a range of benefits which are designed to meet both the organisational and individual needs, are market competitive and designed to attract and retain employees.
For more details on working for Alzheimer's Research UK click here.
Holiday entitlement
Healthcare
Sick pay
Pension
Cycle to work scheme
Family friendly policies
Learning & development
Alzheimer's Research UK is a registered charity, numbers 1077089 and SC042474. 3 Riverside, Granta Park, Cambridge CB21 6AD
You have already applied for this vacancy, please go to your account to see your progress.
Privacy Policy
Alzheimer's Research UKPrivacy Statement
The following explains how we Alzheimer's Research UK (Controllers) intend to use the information you provide in your application, along with your rights, our reasons for requesting it and who will have access to it.
As defined by the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Alzheimer's Research UK is the Data Controller and ultimately responsible for ensuring the data you provide is kept secure, processed correctly and that you understand your legal rights in relation to the data you provide.
The recruitment software we use via this website is supplied by IRIS Software Group Limited and they are defined as a Data Processor under the GDPR. They will only process your data in accordance with our instructions.
IRIS can be contacted at: 4th Floor Heathrow Approach, 470 London Road, Slough, England, SL3 8QY
For Data Protection enquiries, please contact the Help Desk at support@networxrecruitment.com
PURPOSE AND SCOPE
All Application Data is stored in the UK and not transferred to any territories outside the European Economic Area (the “EEA”) and the UK.
We keep your Application Data in accordance with our internal retention policies and procedures. Typically, if you are unsuccessful in your job application with us (or if you reject the position), we will keep it for twelve months so that we may contact you again if another suitable position arises.
WHERE DOES ARUK STORE YOUR APPLICATION DATA?
HOW LONG WILL ARUK RETAIN YOUR APPLICATION DATA?
ARUK shares Application Data with authorised third party service providers in order to conduct and manage recruitment. For example, we may share your Application Data with these service providers in order to conduct screening and verification of your application and the information you have provided to us. This includes verifying academic and professional qualifications.
ARUK will only disclose your Application Data to third parties outside ARUK and its suppliers:
when required to do so by law in response to a legitimate request for assistance by the police or other law enforcement agency or to seek legal advice from ARUK’s external lawyers or in connection with litigation with a third party
ARUK restricts access to Application Data to people within ARUK who have a “need to know” business reason for accessing that information. For example, certain individuals within ARUK will have access to your Application Data in order to process your job application and manage the recruitment cycle.
Outside ARUK
Within ARUK
ARUK will only process your Application Data where we have a legal basis for doing so. We will be processing it to help us to decide whether to enter into a contract of employment with you. At other times, we will be processing your Application Data because you have consented to us doing so. In which case you can withdraw such consent at any point.
We may also process your Application Data to comply with our legal obligations or because it is in our legitimate business interests to do so (for example, where it is necessary to understand our applicants in sufficient detail so we can deliver an effective recruitment service).
TO WHOM IS YOUR APPLICATION DATA DISCLOSED?
Information about criminal convictions (if collected) or medical information will only be collected through official authorised sources and in accordance with applicable law.
We may verify the Application Data you provide during the recruitment process and/or collect personal data about you from sources to assist with our “Pre-Employment Checks”. If this occurs:
You will be told in advance which aspects of your Application Data will be verified including an explanation of how the Pre-Employment Checks will be carried out and
Improving our Application Process, for example to ensure that our careers website is user-friendly and contains appropriate and helpful information
The purposes for which we use your Application Data are:
Supporting and Processing your Job Application, for example, so we can assess your ability to meet the job specification, in order to shortlist applicants and to verify references and professional qualifications provided by those applicants
Personal data about criminal convictions or medical information will only be sought where required and permitted by applicable law e.g. to enable us to make reasonable adjustments for you to attend an interview or where the role will include working with children/ elderly people.
We will indicate where the information we have requested is mandatory or optional.
WHAT WILL ARUK DO WITH YOUR APPLICATION DATA?
information related to your use of our careers website, for example your IP address. This information may be collected using cookie technology. For more information about how ARUK uses cookies please see our Privacy Notice www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/privacy-notice/
information collected by ARUK as a result of the recruitment process, such as your performance at interview and information by your referees and right to work in the UK
information you provide in order to apply for a job vacancy with ARUK to tell us who you are and to build a picture of your capabilities and suitability for certain positions, such as your name, contact information, current company, information contained in your CV (e.g. professional qualifications, previous employment history, place of residence, current base salary and personal interests and experiences), information contained in your social media accounts or personal websites or accounts (e.g. LinkedIn or Twitter), information about the type of work and projects you have been involved with and any other information you may wish to provide to us
ARUK will only collect personal data in the recruitment process that is necessary to assess you for the position for which you applied. This may include the following categories:
information you provide in order to keep in touch with us about future job opportunities at ARUK, such as your name, email, LinkedIn profile, location, field of expertise and the kind of role you are interested in
This Notice explains how Alzheimer’s Research UK (ARUK) handles personal data about our job applicants and the rights that applicants have under data protection law. In this Notice, we refer to this type of information as “Application Data”.
This Notice applies to applications submitted via our careers page on our website www.alzheimersresearchuk.org and third parties, such as recruitment agencies and job boards. It also applies to applications submitted via other means, such as by post and email.
“ARUK” means ARUK and its operating companies and business functions as existing from time to time.
WHY WE ASK FOR CERTAIN INFORMATION
EXERCISING YOUR RIGHTS
You may have the right to request access to, or rectification or erasure of the Application Data that ARUK holds about you. You may also have the right to restrict or object to certain types of processing of your Application Data.
If you notice an error in your application that you would like to correct, please contact us using the contact information in paragraph 8 below.
Any request to exercise one of these rights will be assessed by ARUK on a case by case basis. There may be circumstances where we are not legally required to comply with your request because of the laws in your jurisdiction or because of exemptions provided for in data protection legislation.
CONTACT US
Please contact us at hr@alzheimersresearchuk.org if you would like to find out more about any matters relating to this Notice.
If you have concerns about the way in which ARUK has handled your Application Data you should contact hr@alzheimersresearchuk.org. If you are still dissatisfied, you have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO); however, all complaints should be raised with ARUK in the first instance.
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