Press Officer

Position description

Do you have a passionate interest in international affairs? Are you at an early stage of your communications career but looking to step up a level?

We are looking for an organised, dedicated team player to join our busy press office at one of the world’s leading think-tanks.

You’ll be working with journalists from around the world and engaging with national outlets every day on the biggest stories and issues. You will already understand how to engage with high-level media and be keen to play a part in getting our experts’ voices heard.

This is an extraordinary time to join Chatham House. The institute has been at the forefront of the many and complex challenges facing the world and the next few months promise more to come.

It is important to be passionate about international relations, and to be able to contribute creative ideas to help broaden awareness of our research, events and world-class experts on a wide array of issues – from global health and the future of artificial intelligence to geopolitics and climate change.

With multiple demands on our small press team, you will need to be someone who stays calm, flexible and good humoured under pressure and who relishes being on the front-line of our operations.

We are an equal opportunity employer, we value diversity and do not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics. We encourage applications from all backgrounds. If there is anything we can do to improve your experience or support you, please do not hesitate to get in touch at [email protected].

Responsibilities

Delivery

• First point of contact for the press office, respond and triage media enquiries, set up interviews, manage media logistics for events and closely monitoring all media coverage of Chatham House.
• Oversee the distribution of regular mail-outs (press releases, diary notes and invitations) to journalists, and working to make our outreach more targeted and effective.
• Ensure our media contact lists and databases are regularly updated and relevant to support our events and projects.
• Willingness to cover the press office out of hours rota and support occasional evening events.

People

• With press team colleagues, finding opportunities for press coverage around our events and research publications, including drafting press releases and pitching in op-eds and commentary.
• With the team and Comms colleagues, use forward planning tools to help in the creation of our weekly communications grid which informs our work across the house.
• Work collaboratively with our research teams and many experts, assisting with major events, helping with key messaging sessions, press briefings and pitches, managing interviews and filming logistics and assisting with media training sessions.

Strategy

• Monitor, track and collate details and data on our global media coverage on a daily, weekly and periodic reports and assist in compiling reports for senior management.
• Alongside the Head of Media, examine better ways of working internally to identify opportunities and strategically plan for projects.
• With a taskforce, help to develop and maintain a public affairs database that can be deployed for key Chatham House events and engagements and establish a process for this list to be regularly maintained, updated and managed.

 

 

Qualifications

Essential qualifications and experience:

• You are an enthusiastic team player with strong interpersonal and diplomacy skills, and an appetite for building relationships with journalists and colleagues.
• Experience of dealing successfully with international and UK media, planning and carrying out campaigns, and working in a busy press office.
• Proven ability and track record in getting positive results in media and dealing regularly with journalists, researchers, producers and broadcast staff.
• A passionate interest in current affairs, international relations and media.
• The ability to work calmly under pressure, and to react swiftly and tactically to the demands of the global news agenda.
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills, and a keen attention to detail.
• Ability to take initiative, think imaginatively and plan strategically.
• An understanding of digital media databases, monitoring and support systems.

 

Desirable skills and experience:

• Interest in digital media with technical experience would be welcome.
• Experience of working in an international environment.
• Fluency in one or more languages in addition to English.

Benefits

Benefits include approximately 37 days annual leave (inclusive of public holidays and Chatham House closure days), enhanced pension scheme, employee assistance programme, life assurance, and other benefits designed to suit your personal lifestyle. All of this, in a professional, engaging, and intellectually stimulating environment.

Salary: £36,000 per annum

Contract: Full-time, Permanent

Location: Hybrid (Office/Home), minimum 2 days in the office per week.

Closing Date: Sunday 7th July 2024. You will be notified of the status of your application within 4 weeks of the role closing. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis; we encourage early application as the closing date may be brought forward if needed.

Please note: We screen candidates anonymously. We will not see your personal information before your application has been moved forward in the process. Please exclude any personal or identifiable information in your application answers including your personal statement.

Please note that we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role. You must have an existing and unrestricted right to work in the UK.

The Job Description as outlined above will not be available once the closing date has passed. Please ensure you keep a copy for your own record.

Application instructions

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