Press Officer - London, United Kingdom - Scottish National Party (SNP) Westminster Group

Description

The SNP Westminster Group is looking to recruit a full time Press Officer.

Reporting to the Senior Press Officer, and Director of Communications, the Press Officer will promote the work of the SNP's team of 44 MPs through the media.

Location:
The SNP Westminster Group operates a system of hybrid working.

Staff are required to work from our offices in the House of Commons, Westminster, London some of the time, as part of a rota system, and can choose to work remotely, or from the office, the rest of the time.

Salary:
Dependent on experience and in line with the pay scale for Press Officer (£28,581 to £39,727).


Please also provide a covering letter, which details how your experience, skills and knowledge prepare you for this role. Please include examples of previous work or experience in your responses. (max. 1000 words)

Description:

You will work with MPs, their offices, and the SNP press teams in London and Edinburgh to secure media coverage for SNP MPs.

Work will include drafting press releases and comments, writing op eds, organising broadcast media interviews, arranging photo calls, briefing MPs, and involvement in other forms of media coverage.

You will act as a key media contact, liaising with internal teams and external partners, including newspapers, broadcasters, and digital media outlets.

You will be able to demonstrate sound political and media judgement.

You will be involved in identifying political issues and campaigns to promote through the media, monitoring media coverage, and participating in the development of our media plans and strategy.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Draft press releases, articles and comment on political issues
• Respond to media enquiries
• Monitor media coverage
• Arrange and attend media interviews with SNP MPs
• Meet journalists and foster good relations with the media
• Brief national media on behalf of SNP MPs
• Support MPs to develop press stories and campaigns
• Liaise with internal and external stakeholders
• Liaise with broadcast media and brief MPs for media appearances

Person specification

• Applicants must be able to demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate persuasively.
• Attention to detail, including proofreading skills and accuracy.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure, respond quickly to developing events, produce accurate information, and draft press lines within tight time scales.
• Ability to plan and organise your time and resources effectively
• Sound political judgement and the ability to identify appropriate issues and lines for media coverage
• Experience of promoting news stories and setting the media agenda
• Experience of developing and communicating consistent messages across a range of formats
• Must be able to work well within a small team and independently, and to respond flexibly and creatively to a range of requests
• Willingness to work flexible hours in line with the parliamentary timetable some weekend and evening work will be required
• Applicants must have a firm knowledge of the SNP, Scottish politics, the UK's political and parliamentary systems, and an understanding of the UK/Scottish media

Salary:
£28,581.00-£39,727.00 per year


Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location:
Hybrid remote in LONDON

Application deadline: 04/01/2023