My client requires a media savvy experienced press officer to act as a key organisational contact for national media, developing positive media coverage for all of their activities, campaigns, and messages and collaboratively with the wider team develop and implement their press and public relations plan.
Key Responsibilities:
- To monitor and evaluate media coverage and opportunities;
- To provide media relations advice, training and support;
- To act as a primary organizational, liaison with national media, taking responsibility for reputation and issues management. As such the post holder will be expected to use high levels of discretion, risk assessment and exceptional judgment in carrying out their duties;
- To act as a point of contact for a range of organisations;
- To produce press releases, position statements, articles and digital content for both external and internal communication channels;
- To ensure the profile of the organisation is defended, extended and promoted by making unsupervised high level judgment calls on behalf of the organisation, including in high pressured and high stake crisis communications situations, both in regular office hours, and in undertaking evening and weekend ‘on call’ duties;
- To develop and manage key relationships with journalists, media professionals and other stakeholders to develop the press and media profile of the organisation;
- To represent the organisation at external press and public affairs meetings and other events as required;
- To source, generate, and distribute compelling media releases, story pitches, comment pieces, case studies, and interviews as appropriate;
- To coordinate press and media work across departments, and with colleagues and officers at all levels to identify and respond to media opportunities, ensure messaging is appropriate, consistent, high quality and high impact;
- To lead on press and media strategies for individual campaigns, events, and publications from inception to implementation;
- To develop media activity aimed at communicating the breadth and depth of membership, including local, regional and national impact - working collaboratively on press across the Nations;
- To develop and maintain an expert knowledge base on media trends and developments, and to on the challenges and opportunities for the organisation and its members;
- To supervise and mentor a team of student journalists to produce multimedia material;
- Ensure that any expenditure incurred in carrying out the responsibilities of this role is approved following all finance procedures relating to invoice and expense payments;
- Undertake all necessary duties and activities to deliver the role’s responsibilities, alerting their line manager to any barriers encountered and contribute to the successful resolution of any issues.
Necessary Experience:
- A degree in Journalism or professional qualification in a relevant field or equivalent work experience;
- Experience of working in press/media/public relations or as a journalist/editor/producer;
- Experience of writing and editing copy for publication deadlines;
- Strong planning and project management skills;
- Excellent written English and ability to write for diverse media audiences;
- Understanding of the press and public relations landscape: print, broadcast and online;
- Ability to work well under pressure whilst maintaining high standards of quality and accuracy.
Desirable Experience:
- Experience working in a member-led and/or campaigning organisation;
- Experience of preparing and delivering proactive media plans.