Vacancy: BGS Social and Digital Media Editor (Volunteer Member Role)

The British Geriatrics Society (BGS) is looking for an enthusiastic and creative member to take on the honorary position of Social and Digital Media Editor (SDME). If you are working in older people’s healthcare and are passionate about digital communications, this is a great opportunity to further develop your skills while supporting the BGS community.

How this role supports the BGS
The SDME plays a pivotal role in ensuring the BGS’s voice is heard across all digital channels as well as ensuring accuracy of our communications. The SDME helps support our mission of improving healthcare for older people by checking that what we say on the BGS blog, X (formerly Twitter) account, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and other digital media streams is clinically accurate.
At a practical level this involves:
Social media
  • Amplifying the BGS’s reach via the @gerisoc X account (managed by BGS staff) by re-tweeting or commenting on news stories related to older people’s healthcare.
  • Supporting the BGS Trainees Instagram page, suggesting content and writing engaging captions.
  • Keeping abreast of social media developments including Blue Sky and other channels.
  • Supporting with social media engagement at BGS conferences.
Digital content
  • Acting as a chief ‘authoriser’ for digital content with clinical references to ensure accuracy and relevance, especially blogs.
  • Working with BGS Comms staff to actively commission new content for the blog that aligns with BGS strategy, interests and values.
  • Contributing to the development of BGS strategy in relation to digital communications.
The SDME (BGS) collaborates with
  • The DME for Age and Ageing, who oversees digital communications for the BGS journal.
  • The BGS Trainee communications and social media representative who leads on the Instagram page @BGSTrainees.
  • The BGS Communications team.
About you
If you are passionate about communications and active on social media, this role offers a great opportunity to connect with people, promote the BGS and its specialty, and contribute to raising the profile of the BGS’s work to improve healthcare for older people.
 
Previous SDMEs have valued the access this role provides to eminent clinicians worldwide through X and the chance to engage in creative thinking about communications within the BGS community and beyond. This role offers exposure to policymaking on a national scale to improve older people’s healthcare.
 
With our new Presidential team, the BGS has experienced a significant increase in interest, making this an especially exciting time to join as a SDME.
 
If you can commit the necessary time and energy for the role and are a good communicator, we would love to hear from you!
Further information about the role of SDME
  • This is an honorary position and therefore unpaid, but all reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed.
  • The SDME receives free registration for BGS bi-annual conferences, if other sources of funding are unavailable.
  • The time commitment is variable, with most tasks being quickly accomplished. The SDME must be able to respond reasonably promptly and remain active on social media around clinical commitments.
  • The term of office is two years, which may be extended by mutual agreement.
How to apply
If you are keen to help strengthen the BGS’s digital presence and impact, we would love to hear from you! Please email a statement telling us what you would bring to the role (max 300 words) and your CV to Emily Garner – Interim Communications Manager by emailing e [dot] garner [at] bgs [dot] org [dot] uk.
 
If you have any questions, please call 020 3747 6931 for more information.
 
The deadline for applications is  9am on Friday 24 January 2025.