Communications and Media Officer

Reporting to: Senior Communications Officer

Key objectives: To support the Communications Team and, in particular, the Senior Communications Officer, in all aspects of media relations

Main duties 

• To help with proactive media activities by drafting and selling-in press releases, columns, press letters and features. This may involve carrying out interviews and liaising with stakeholders.
• To help with reactive media activities by handling press queries and preparing appropriate responses, in discussion with the Senior Communications Officer and relevant company spokespeople.
• To build and manage strong relationships with the relevant media (professional, consumer and nationals/regionals) and other influencers, and to maintain the media database.
• To develop proactive social media campaigns across a variety of channels and using a range of different media types e.g. video, audio, imagery, infographics etc
• To produce, proof and edit the engaging, interesting and comprehensive copy of the company activities, policies and campaigns, for a variety of audiences for both the company publications and external media outlets.
• To monitor social media channels and respond on behalf of the company when appropriate
• To monitor and measure the company communications activity and evaluate coverage and engagement.
• To assist, when needed, in reviewing, editing and producing copy for the company website in line with web-writing best practice, to ensure all online information is accessible, informative and engaging.
• To stay abreast of copywriting best practice and Plain English guidelines, and assist colleagues throughout the organisation to adhere to these.
• Where required, to help with the planning, development, execution and evaluation of (marketing) communications projects, campaigns and launches.
• To carry out any other relevant tasks that may be reasonably requested within the team.

Required knowledge and skills

• At least three years’ experience in a similar or related field with a similar focus on the importance of engagement across all media platforms, e.g. journalism, editing, PR, science communications. This can be in-house or agency (please be prepared to show examples of coverage, copy and other successful activities).
• Experience of using a wide variety of social media channels and platforms, including both organic and paid-for content, and evaluating the performance of the same.
• Excellent copywriting and editing skills across all media types, i.e. print, digital, social etc.
• Excellent attention to detail and proofreading ability, with knowledge/experience of Plain English guidelines.
• Confidence in meetings and when offering communications advice to colleagues at all levels of the organisation.
• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to meet multiple, tight deadlines.
• Proactive, and able to develop creative ideas for media activities.
• Ability to work as part of a team, to network and to develop contacts.
• Excellent telephone manner and customer-focused approach

Desirable knowledge and skills

• Experience in using media databases
• Experience of web-editing and using CMS systems
• Photography skills and image editing/library experience
• Knowledge of the veterinary/animal health and welfare sector
• Knowledge of regulatory body or Royal College work
• Additional qualification from / membership of relevant professional bodies such as Chartered Institute of Public Relations, National Union of Journalists, Society for Editors and Proof-readers etc

 
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