Description
The position reports to the Head of UK PR and Corporate Communications and is part of the wider communications department.
The Press Officer will be expected to work closely with the external team to help to ensure the business has an efficient press office function. The role will include reactive PR, dealing with issues that arise on a daily basis and proactive PR to ensure that the business is successful in achieving positive press coverage for the company.
The Press Officer will love news and have proven experience of working with UK national and online media and social media. They will also have excellent written skills and an ability to come up with creative, eye-catching stories and campaigns. They will also be energetic and extremely effective at time management with an ability to juggle several projects concurrently and recognise the urgency and need for a quick an effective response.
The role of the Press Officer will play a key role in the overall communication strategy to manage and actively promote and enhance the company's corporate brand identity in the UK.
- Creation of and management of engaging press stories to enhance the organisation's reputation
- Ability to manage difficult and negative media stories to protect the organisation's reputation and influence the media to ensure it's views are reflected
- Handle UK media enquiries on a daily basis
- Have existing strong relationships with key UK media specifically news media and preferably also transport and travel media
- Project management of media launches
- Play a supporting role in the company's crisis management procedures
To be considered for this role you must have previous experience managing PR campaigns and story selling for well-known consumer brands. Transport brand experience or a brand requiring operational experience would be an advantage. You must have strong media experience particularly with national news media allied to an understanding of corporate communications and issue management. It's a challenging, role which requires a strategic, yet sleeves-rolled-up style.
Suitable candidates will need the following skills and/or experience;
- Proven experience of media communications, ideally in a similar role
- Proven track record of selling in stories to national and online media
- Proven experience with social media campaigns
- Creative approach to effectively telling the businesses story
- Excellent organisational and planning skills.
- Ability to work alone, under the guidance of the Head of UK PR, managing your own work load
- Broad knowledge of all media and a strong news sense
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Excellent interpersonal and team working skills
- Remains calm under pressure with ability to prioritise and work to tight deadlines
- Accuracy and attention to detail; excellent proof reading skills
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