Press and Communications Officer

Job Title:                          Press and Communications Officer

Position Type:                  Permanent/Full time

Reports to:                       Senior Policy and Advocacy Officer

Salary:                              Range from £31,000- £34,000 depending on experience

Based at:                          School Food Matters, The Bridge, 7b Parkshot, London, TW9 2RD

Note:                                Before Christmas, we will be moving to new offices in Southwark, close to Waterloo

Working Hours:               9am-5pm (flexible)

Pension:                           School Food Matters pays 7% of pensionable earnings

Holiday:                            31 days including bank holidays that fall on working days

                                         School Food Matters is closed between Christmas and New Year

Job Purpose

·       To help make SFM the destination for media as the voice for food in schools

·       To help increase media coverage for our work across all platforms (print, TV/Radio, digital)

·       To develop and maintain our vibrant social media presence

Key Tasks include

·       Writing and reviewing editorial, case study and blog content to maintain SFM’s voice

·       Working with our Web Developer to maintain the School Food Matters website

·       Diary planning to make best use of events and media moments to highlight our work in the media

·       Maintaining up-to-date and accurate records of media contacts on Airtable

·       Producing, editing and co-ordinating video and visual content across SFM’s projects

·       With support from our Policy and Communications Assistant, maintaining our vibrant social media presence

·       Managing and maintaining our photo library (Google photos)

·       Ensuring our website is up to date by liaising with project teams for new content

·       Understanding and disseminating new processes and functionality of the new website

·       Managing our Google Ad grant and ensuring that our ads remain effective

·       Liaising with partner organisations for joint promotion of our projects and campaigns

·       Producing and distributing our newsletters

·       Adding press articles to the website and social media

·       Maintaining the ethos of the charity and positively promoting our work at all times

·       Keeping up to date with safeguarding requirements and reporting procedures

·       The Press and Communications Officer will also undertake any other tasks relevant to the affairs of SFM that may arise from time to time.  Therefore, being flexible and approaching the job with an open and positive mindset is essential!

 Person Specification

 Essential

·        Exceptional oral and written communication skills in fluent spoken and written English, with strong attention to detail.

·        Experience writing news articles and blog posts with clear structure, purpose and an engaging narrative.

·        Experience of getting media coverage

·        Strong understanding of using social media to engage audiences and achieve campaign goals

·        An eye for design and strong grasp of branding, with experience creating visuals using tools like Canva

·        Comfortable using content management systems (CMS) to publish and manage web content — we use Drupal

·        General knowledge of issues around school food, children’s health and food education

·        Ability to work independently, with high levels of self-motivation

·        Good project management, time management and organisational skills and the ability to work under pressure and to meet deadlines

·        Energy, enthusiasm, creativity and tenacity

Desirable

·        Experience of working within a network or coalition of campaigning organisations

·        Established contacts with media outlets/journalists/bloggers

·        Digital campaigning and social networking skills

·        Skills in capturing and editing photo and/or video content to support communications work

·        Experience managing or supervising team members to deliver communications projects effectively