Press Officer

Job Description

Press OfficerProfessional Membership Body Home Based, Hybrid or Office Based - Fully FlexibleBasic Salary £37,000-£40,000 dependent on experience Benefits Include: Private Medical with Aviva, Healthshield, and 9% pension. Full Time, PermanentOur client a leading professional membership body based in Central London is currently looking for a Press Officer.The Role of Press OfficerTo work with the Head of External Relations (HER) and Director of Public Policy (DPP) to monitor, build and maintain the institutes profile with the media, politicians, opinion formers and other relevant bodies, particularly in pursuit of our objectives.The role is ultimately grounded in the pursuit of our overarching institutional objectives of increasing understanding of industry matters and working for a more effective industry system for all affected by it.Key AccountabilitiesMediaDrafting and issuing of press releases, including managing the editing and approval process.Handling media enquiries, including bids for institute spokespeople.Monitoring media coverage and other coverage of issues, including producing regular digests for staff and members.Identifying opportunities for press releases and other media coverageManaging the institutes lists of media contacts, ensuring lists stay up to date.Working with the HER to build links with key journals and journalists (broadcast, print and online) and on the development of media strategy.Supporting the HER and DPP in the development of the institutes media line on contentious issues.Assisting officers and staff on media work, including drafting articles, letters to newspapers, etc. as well as researching and proofreading.Public PolicyMonitoring industry issues in the UK Parliament including identifying forthcoming debates and hearings of interest to the institute, identifying MPs and peers that the institute should be engaging with, and keeping relevant staff and senior members informedof developments on issues of interest to themSupporting the institutes relationships with relevant policy-makers, parliamentarians and other stakeholders, including attendance at meetings and other external events as necessary, and contributing to the production of briefings and letters on issuesfor politicians and other opinion formers, as necessary.Supporting the institutes thought leadership and stakeholder engagement work, including events such as roundtables, debates and lectures. (For larger events most organisational work will be carried out by the events team.)Helping to keep members abreast of what we are doing and achieving.Skills needed to fulfil the roleRequiredOutstanding communication skills - written and oral.Ability to quickly develop an understanding of new issues.Ability to explain complicated and technical issues in an accessible way, both in writing and orally.Good understanding of the media and what is newsworthy, possibly including experience of working either as a press officer, as a journalist or in another media-related role.The judgement to pick out and accurately prcis the most important / interesting material from lengthy documents or transcripts.Ability to work on own initiative, while having the judgement to recognise when a manager should be consulted.Ability to work accurately with detailed information and to ensure that practical tasks are effectively implemented to time and high quality standardsAbility to work with politicians from all parties in a non-partisan way.Diplomacy and discretion.Willingness to work outside normal office hours and/or away from home (e.g. party conferences) occasionally.AdvantageousGood understanding of the UK political system, including how the legislative process, select committees and political parties (especially in relation to policy development) work, possibly acquired through working in Westminster or writing about it.A knowledge of personal finance and economics/business issues more widely.Good understanding of how membership bodies (especially professional bodies) operate, possibly acquired from working for, or serving as an officer or committee member of, such a body.Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Word, Outlook, Excel.Good understanding of social media, while not essential for this role, would be an advantage.Audio-visual skills (podcast making, video editing, etc) and design skills (e.g. InDesign, Photoshop), while not essential for this role, would be an advantage.To apply for this role of Press Officer please send your CV. Due to the volume of applications we are only able to contact successful applicants. Therefore if you have not heard from us within 10 working days please deem your application as unsuccessful on this occasion.membershipbespoke is acting as recruitment business in relation to this role. membershipbespoke positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment,religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.membershipbespoke remains the only specialist recruitment organisation in the UK, which offers a dedicated service tailored to the needs of Trade Associations, Unions, Professional and Regulatory Bodies.

Keyskills :
mediapress