Senior Press Officer

Location:Hybrid - Westminster, London with option of 2 days home working each week

Hours:37.5 hours per week, 9am - 5.30pm

Start date:ASAP

Contract length:Permanent

Reporting to:Director of Communications

Note:Interviews may be conducted before the closing date.

How to apply

Please send your CV and a cover letter by email.

Please include the reference'Senior Press Officer 25'in the subject, your reasons for applying, and explain how you meet the person specification.

What is Best for Britain?

We are the researchers, data scientists, strategists, and activists, fixing the problems Britain faces after Brexit.

We conduct polling to help politicians lead debate, not follow it. We design policy for whoever is in government, today or tomorrow. And we give voters the tools to speak to, and persuade, those in power.

We believe that when we change minds we change politics for the better.And that all of this is Best for Britain.

The Role

Do you thrive on news and current affairs? Dream of being at the heart of politics both in the UK and Europe? Are you keen to work with senior politicians and business leaders while reading your work on the front pages of major newspapers?

At Best for Britain, we believe that when we change minds, we change politics for the better and we are looking for an energetic, confident, and creative senior press officer to join our team at this incredibly exciting and important time both for the UK and the world.

We want you to take a central role in Best for Britain’s engagement with media outlets to increase our public profile, promote our work, and build support for our campaign as we work to strengthen EU-UK ties and fix the problems Britain faces after Brexit.

As a member of our agile communications unit, you will work closely with the Director of Communications to deliver Best for Britain’s key media coverage targets by independently creating, planning, and delivering media outputs, reacting to breaking news, and building relationships with journalists.

This role will suit someone who already has professional experience in comms and will give you the opportunity to meet and work with household names from UK media and politics while making career-defining contacts. Recent members of the Best for Britain communications team have subsequently accepted senior roles with the BBC, Labour Party, Liberal Democrats, the Civil Service, and the UK Government working with top Cabinet members.

What are the key tasks?

• Securing coverage for Best for Britain and the UK Trade and Business Commission in print, broadcast, and online media
• Identifying and reacting quickly to breaking press opportunities
• Drafting, editing, and distributing press releases, statements, and opinion pieces
• Building excellent relationships with journalists
• Generating news stories through desk research and information gathering
• Drafting briefing documents and preparing spokespeople for broadcast media
• Ensuring the news sections of the Best for Britain and UK Trade and Business Commission websites are updated regularly
• Providing regular news monitoring for the Best for Britain team
• Occasional copywriting for other Best for Britain directorates.

Person Specification

Essential:

• Experience working in a newsroom, press office, or media agency
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to produce accurate and compelling copy to tight deadlines including longer form opinion pieces
• Confidence pitching to journalists and broadcast producers on a wide variety of topics
• A strong interest in politics and current affairs
• A creative mind and keen eye for finding ways to secure media coverage
• Familiar with G Suite including Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Drive (or Microsoft Office equivalents)
• Outstanding attention to detail and ability to research effectively to ensure the accuracy of information
• Eligible to work in the UK
• Affinity with Best for Britain’s political aims and values.

Desirable:

• Existing contacts within print and broadcast media
• Good knowledge and understanding of politics, current political issues, the different UK parties as well as their priorities, sensitivities, and nuances
• Knowledge of EU institutions and wider geopolitics
• Professional experience in writing copy, particularly opinion pieces or blogs
• A good knowledge of media law and the Editors’ Code of Practice
• NCTJ qualification or equivalent experience.

Why work at Best for Britain?

At Best for Britain, we invest in the health and wellbeing of our team, and believe it is key to organisational success and sustainability.

We offer a range of benefits, summarised below:

• Hybrid working - we understand the benefits of working from home and offer staff hybrid working with 3 days per week in the office
• Additional leave - the office is closed between Christmas and New Year, and staff are given Friday afternoons off in August
• Pension - NEST pension scheme with 4.5% employer contribution
• Staff events - Christmas and Summer events as well as regular team building exercises throughout the year
• EAP - Staff can speak to accredited counsellors via a 24/7 confidential telephone support line with advice on handling stress, relationship difficulties, bereavement, family issues, anxiety, health concerns as well as financial and legal support
• Wellbeing payment - up to £100 per member of staff per financial year towards the costs of an activity that promotes physical fitness and mental health
• Cycle to work and Home scheme - staff can purchase a bike, furniture, and tech and pay back over 12 months via salary sacrifice
• Office environment - basic breakfast and lunch items in the kitchen including hot drinks, fruit, cereal, soup, and bread.

Equal Opportunities

Best for Britain is committed to diversity and inclusion, and we believe that this makes us a dynamic and effective organisation. We are an equal opportunities employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, religion, gender, age, disability, class or any other protected characteristic.

Our roles and culture are inclusive and we can make reasonable adjustments throughout the application process and on the job. If you have any particular requirements, do get in touch.

Any questions before applying?

Get in touch with Niall McGourty atniall@bestforbritain.org

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