Press and Media PR Manager

Job Description

Press and Media PR Manager who has significant experience working within front-line media role with experience managing a busy press office and reputation / crisis management is required to join our team at The Food & Drink Federation, basedin Bloomsbury, London.SALARY: £40,000 - £50,000 per annumLOCATION: Bloomsbury, LondonJOB TYPE: Full-Time, PermanentOUR ORGANISATIONWere the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) - the voice of the UK food and drink industry: the largest manufacturing sector in the country. We help our members operate in a highly regulated marketplace to maximise their competitiveness and profitability. Ourjob is to communicate our industrys values and concerns to Government, regulators, consumers and the media. We also work in partnership with key players in the food supply chain to ensure our food is safe, affordable and nutritious.THE ROLEWorking as the Press and Media PR Manager (known within our organisation as a Media Manager) you will have an exciting opportunity to lead the media team at the Food and Drink Federation (FDF), the representative body of the UKs largest and most vibrantmanufacturing sector. As a new Chief Executive prepares to take the helm of the FDF, the challenges and opportunities facing the industry are varied, from the COVID-19 economic recovery, to the creation of a National Food Strategy, and adapting to new traderelationships.As the Press and Media PR Manager, this role is crucial in managing FDFs media relations and external communications strategy, ensuring there is a clear and compelling voice for the industry. As the Press and Media PR Manager you will deliver a best inclass media team which commands the confidence of FDF members and the media.As the Press and Media PR Manager you will:Communications Planning and Delivery

• Work with the FDFs senior leaders, Corporate Affairs and policy colleagues to develop and deliver the media and PR strategy for the FDF

• Prepare, execute and support the development of proactive media plans for key industry issues setting out clear objectives, strategy, messaging, and target audience to ensure maximum value for the FDF and its members

Team management

• Be responsible for day to day work and performance of the FDF media team, including allocating roles and responsibilities and ensuring they are supported in the delivery of their duties

Media Relations

• Work closely with the Director of Policy and Corporate Affairs and Head of Corporate Affairs to ensure the FDFs position is well represented to the media at all times

• Manage the FDFs busy press office. Delegate or handle media queries, seeking advice from specific FDF colleagues as appropriate or external organisations, alerting and involving the Public Affairs Manager/ Head of Corporate Affairs, and other senior colleaguesas necessary

• Lead and maintain a media contact and external relations programme to deliver productive relationships with journalists and relevant stakeholders

• Provide advice and support to the devolved nations, working with FDF Scotland and FDF Cymru colleagues

• Provide a 24-hour on call media service for FDF, to ensure we are able to communicate the FDFs position to the media/public at all times. This includes supporting other members of the Media Team in handling out-of-hours enquiries at times other than theirown allocated duty week

• Develop the FDF press notices, position statements, media responses and letters to the editor for relevant campaigns, and oversee those produced by others in the Media Team, in consultation with the Head of Corporate Affairs and other appropriate FDF colleaguesand stakeholders

• Demonstrate political awareness in the preparation of media commentary - working with public affairs colleagues

• Monitor the FDFs social media, including proactive planning, working with other teams within the FDF to gather intelligence and information for posts

• Provide advice for member associations and FDF committees/groups on media issues of concern to FDF and on specific issues relating to their sectors and additionally act as a source of advice on media issues to all FDF staff and members

• Ensure that databases, licenses, contacts lists and monitoring processes are kept up to date and meet the organisations need

• Assess the organisations need for, and oversee media training for FDF colleagues

• Attend external meetings as the FDF representative where required representing the position of the FDF and /or its members at those meetings

• To lead and participate in journalist briefings with the FDFs policy experts and cultivate relationships with journalists with the aim of raising the FDFs profile and enhance the organisations status as a go-to organisation for expert opinion

THE TEAMFDFs Corporate Affairs team ensures we and our members have strong and constructive relationships across the UK Government, Parliament, and the media. This enables us to showcase FDFs policy work for political and media stakeholders seeking expertise onUK food and drink issues and ensures our members issues are at the forefront of the public policy agenda.REQUIREMENTSQualifications

• Educated to degree level or equivalent experience in a relevant discipline

Experience

• Significant experience of working in a front-line media role

• Strong experience of managing a busy press office

• Experience of reputation management and crisis management

• Experience of managing challenging portfolio areas and contentious issues

• Line management experience helpful

Skills/ Knowledge

• Able to manage own workload and complex projects at the same time

• Able to respond positively to change and to work in a flexible and adaptable manner

• Good at building trusted relationships internally and externally and working effectively with colleagues

• A persuasive communicator with excellent writing and editing skills

NO AGENCIES PLEASEJOB REF: AWDO-P7395This job is being advertised by AWD online on behalf of the Food & Drink Federation.