​A leading trade body is seeking a Chief Press Officer to join its London team. Reporting to the Head of Communications, you will lead the press office function, dealing with high-profile media enquiries.This includes writing statements and press releases; producing briefing material ahead of media interviews; planning for launches and events; generating positive PR opportunities and providing PR support on all campaign activity. The role will also require managing support agencies. For this role, you need the ability to work at speed, the confidence to brief national journalists, deal with multiple stakeholders, and the ability to manage complex and sometimes technical information. Ideally you will have demonstrable experience from working within a membership organisation, an agency environment or utility.

Key Responsibilities:

• Managing a busy national press office

• Producing written press statements, press releases and media advisories

• Regularly briefing national journalists on complicated topics and breaking news

• Maintaining and developing a wide network of journalist and commentator contacts

• Maintaining strong working relationships with counterparts at key stakeholder organisations, including: members, regulators, government departments and relevant NGOs

• Helping to arrange media roundtables and briefings

• Writing blogs, op-eds for publication and social media posts

• Helping to produce briefing materials

• Leading on the generation of PR strategies

• Maximise opportunities to promote positive news from member companies

• Work closely with policy colleagues to develop proactive communications strategies

• Develop relationships with communications counterparts and other senior stakeholders at member companies across the UK

Key skills:

• Excellent comms skills with the ability to communicate with clarity, brevity and impact

• Excellent organisational skills

• Comfortable with using data and other kinds of information to communicate with a range of audiences

• Initiative and drive to learn quickly and deliver complicated communications projects

• Work within a small team with the ability to build relationships and networks quickly

• Manage different stakeholders

• Previous experience of working within a fast-paced environment

• Demonstrable experience of working in a busy press office and managing crisis comms

Due to a high volume of applicants, we are unable to respond to everyone. We will get in touch if you are successful in your application.