Communications Officer - The Lancet (Part-Time and Fixed Term Contract)

Communications Officer - The Lancet

Can you develop and deliver effective and engaging communication strategies?

Do you enjoy taking ownership for delivering successful communications campaigns?

This is a Part-Time role with a preference for candidate on the East Coast -

About our Team

You will join a team of dedicated communications professionals who work across all 24 Lancet Journals. This Team seeks out the most newsworthy science and promotes it in a variety of ways. We manage a pool of experienced freelancer press release writers, and work with leading researchers and top journalists around the world. We also collaborate with our expert editors.

You will play a key role, as part of the wider communications team and broader communications efforts within Elsevier. This includes maintaining The Lancet Group’s reputation for excellence, and for ensuring our landmark reports spark public interest and catch the attention of the people who need to see them.

As Communications Officer (reporting to the Head of Media & Communications) you will work within a broader communications team. This will have a focus on covering social media, digital, internal communications, and partnerships, and coordinate closely with our multimedia andmarketing teams.

About the Role

As The Lancet’s Communications Officer you will be skilled in spotting newsworthy research and identifying the story. You will find the best way to tell it to achieve accurate, balanced media coverage and/or social media strategies to show the importance and impact of the new findings.

Working on our major reports, you will have excellent project management and teamwork skills. You will collaborate with the broader marketing and communications team at The Lancet and Elsevier, as well as with high-profile researchers, their comms teams, and Lancet editors. You will have creative ideas for how to promote our reports to the media.

You will be skilled in quickly identifying risks to The Lancet’s reputation, and proactive in suggesting solutions to help handle them effectively.

Working on a busy communications team, you’ll be able to prioritize and have an unflappable approach. While balancing this you will continuously offer excellent service to our editors and authors, and collaborating with a number of teams within The Lancet.

Responsibilities

Reviewing papers and working with our editors to find media-friendly research and identifying the best way to share the story to the media. This includes researching and pitching to relevant reporters, writing clear and engaging press releases, and briefing freelance writers and signing off their work to deliver the story you’ve envisioned.
Supporting the media strategy for our major reports and papers by understanding the report’s aims and key messages and suggesting and delivering media tactics to support these.
Identifying and helping to handle reputational issues proactively and reactively.
Supporting the Digital Communications Manager and wider Digital Communications team in developing and refining our social media strategy. This will include a core focus on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn – but other channels as opportunities arise
Collaborating with the wider marketing and communications team, and with the broader organisation and Elsevier. This includes being a central part of our weekly review meeting to discuss papers, as well as keeping the team up-to-date on your projects.
Monitoring the Press Office inbox and responding promptly to journalists’ requests. This includes managing The Lancet’s international media list. Supporting other media teams in coordinating their work on Lancet papers, media monitoring, and coordinating complex publication logistics.
Using media and social media monitoring tools such as TalkWalker, HubSpot, EurekAlert and others.
Being part of The Lancet’s out of hours media line to provide a 24/7 service to journalists around the world.

Requirements

Have experience working in communications and interest in current issues in health and media. This could include a college education or relevant qualifications in communications or scientific/health field.
Be aTeam player with a collaborative approach, ready to fit into our small, supportive, and friendly team
Have excellent written and verbal communication skills. Be able to write a succinct pitch, draft social media posts, brief a freelancer to write a press release, or presenting results in The Lancet’s staff meeting
Be familiar with and/or able to learn media and social media tools. This includes tools such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, TalkWalker, HubSpot, and EurekAlert
Be adept at communicating complex information and care as much about the detail as the bigger picture. Have your finger on the pulse when it comes to identifying issues that matter most to our audiences
Be highly organized and methodical, being able to juggle a busy workload while providing excellent services to multiple stakeholders
Be dedicated to achieving great press and social media results. Be full of creative ideas to help improve the way we communicate through traditional media and social media. This includes being keen to use your experience and expertise to shape how we grow our communities
Have an analytical mind. Also have a grasp of the types of tools that can help us manage and track communications initiatives
Be comfortable building relationships and networks internally and externally. Be able to coordinate content from a wide range of stakeholders. This includes from busy editors and our online production team, to researchers and senior management
Have awareness of diversity initiatives – and ensure that it is built into your communications activity

Work in a way that works for you

We promote a healthy work/life balance across the organisation. With an average length of service of 9 years, we are confident that we offer an appealing working prospect for our people. With numerous wellbeing initiatives, shared parental leave, study assistance and sabbaticals, we will help you meet your immediate responsibilities and your long-term goals.

Working flexible hours - flexing the times when you work in the day to help you fit everything in and work when you are the most productive

Working with us

We are an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to help you succeed. Here, you will find an inclusive, agile, collaborative, innovative and fun environment, where everyone has a part to play. Regardless of the team you join, we promote a diverse environment with co-workers who are passionate about what they do, and how they do it.

Working for you

We want to protect your health, help you accumulate wealth and secure your future. We are therefore delighted to offer:

Generous holiday allowance with the option to buy additional days
Access to a competitive contributory pension scheme and life assurance
Tax-free childcare support
Parental leave options
Health screening and private medical benefits
Season ticket loan

About Us

A global leader in information and analytics, we help researchers and healthcare professionals advance science and improve health outcomes for the benefit of society. Building on our publishing heritage, we combine quality information and vast data sets with analytics to support visionary science and research, health education and interactive learning, as well as exceptional healthcare and clinical practice. At Elsevier, your work contributes to the world’s grand challenges and a more sustainable future. We harness innovative technologies to support science and healthcare to partner for a better world.

Join Us

Purposeful Work
When you work with us, your work matters. You are part of an organization that nurtures your curiosity to stimulate innovation for the communities that we serve.

Growing Every Day
Like the communities we serve, you are on a constant path of discovery to shape your career and personal development.

Colleagues Who Care
You will be part of the Elsevier family. We will support your well-being and provide the flexibility you need to thrive at work and home.

Together, we create possibilities.
Join us

Elsevier is an equal opportunity employer: qualified applicants are considered for and treated during employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, citizenship status, disability status, protected veteran status, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are committed to providing a fair and accessible hiring process. If you have a disability or other need that requires accommodation or adjustment, please let us know by completing our Applicant Request Support Form:

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