Do you want to represent some of the UK’s leading food and drink brands? As a Media & Campaigns Officer at the Food and Drink Federation (FDF), the voice of the UK’s largest manufacturing sector, you will join a team developing media strategies on behalf of a dynamic, growing sector.
Our Media & Campaigns team is at the centre of everything that the FDF does. It is high profile and works with Government departments, major food companies and NGOs to communicate across a wide range of topics. Whether it is health and wellbeing, careers & skills, sustainability or food safety the team works closely with senior staff in the organisation to manage communications.
This role supports FDF’s Media & Campaigns Manager, and will lead on specific policy areas. But it is not just about the media. What is especially exciting about this role is that it is also involved in some of our award-winning campaigns.
The team works closely with our public affairs colleagues in communicating our industry's values and concerns to Government, regulators, consumers and interest groups.
About us
The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) represents the leading firms who are members and is the first organisation the media goes to when there is a food or drink issue. Rarely a day goes by when there is not an issue that requires our input. We help our members operate in an appropriately regulated marketplace so they are best-placed to continue to flourish. We also work in partnership with key players in the food chain to ensure our food is safe and that consumers can have trust in it.
FDF benefits
FDF offers an excellent employee benefits package to its employees – a pension scheme, life insurance, 25 days annual leave, childcare vouchers, cycle-to-work scheme, eye-care vouchers, weekly fruit drop. After successful completion of a 6-months’ probationary period, employees will be entitled to an interest-free season ticket loan, gym subsidy and private health insurance.
Key responsibilities
- To handle media queries, seeking advice from specific FDF colleagues as appropriate or external organisations, in consultation with the Media & Campaigns Manager;
- To develop FDF press notices, position statements, media responses, media plans and proactive press releases in consultation with the Media & Campaigns Manager and appropriate FDF colleagues, ensuring appropriate sign off. To write articles and letters to the editor for publication on request;
- To have a major input into our social media presence;
- To keep abreast of the news agenda by monitoring a range of print, online and social media;
- With the other members of the Media Team, to provide a 24-hour on-call media service for FDF, to ensure we are able to respond with FDF’s position on any issue to the media/public at all times;
- To work with policy colleagues to maintain and develop FDF publications, web material for the FDF public / member areas and FDF Taste Success careers website including media Q&As;
- To work to develop and strengthen media contacts and ensure that databases, contacts lists and monitoring processes are kept up to date;
- Working closely with the Media & Campaigns Manager and Digital Manager (Careers Campaign Manager) to prepare and execute proactive media plans for FDF campaigns and interests to ensure maximum publicity for FDF and members;
- To provide advice for member associations, and FDF committees/groups on media issues of concern to FDF and on specific issues relating to their sectors;
- To work with media and policy colleagues to publicise FDF’s work and successes through member e-newsletters and via media alerts;
- To develop an in depth understanding of FDF and its policy issues.
Campaigns/events
- To work with the Media & Campaigns Manager and Digital Manager (Careers Campaign Manager) to scope out forward plans for FDF’s core campaigns;
- To identify and contribute to the tactical delivery of the campaigns/events as well as working closely with FDF policy colleagues to keep abreast of any Government activity and the national and European agenda related to any campaign you are involved in;
- In liaison with the Media & Campaigns Manager, progress the forward plans for each identified campaign / FDF pillar including developing communication solutions, stakeholder resources, planning events, creating web and hard copy and sourcing case studies;
- To arrange all event logistics, updating the internal database accordingly;
- To provide a secretariat for relevant campaign/event meetings including arranging dates, preparing and circulating proposals and update papers and taking and distributing minutes;
- To support FDF’s Commercial Services team in the promotion of FDF’s training courses, events and other commercial opportunities.
Person profile
Essential
- Proven recent experience working as a media officer, preferably with some knowledge of the food industry and with some crisis management experience;
- Is a confident, persuasive and diplomatic communicator with senior members of an organisation;
- Is able to build trust with a wide range of individuals internally and externally in a short period of time;
- Can plan resources and timescales;
- Is able to maintain sound judgment when working under pressure and maintaining a true sense of urgency;
- Shows a proactive and creative approach;
- Is sensitive to confidential matters;
- Is able to work flexibly and cope with change;
- Shows good relationship management skills, with the ability to maintain links with key policy colleagues.
Desirable
- Experience of dealing with cross departmental teams;
- Experience of working with or on campaigns.