This role is the first point of contact for journalists getting in touch with the Trussell Trust. The role is accountable for handling media enquiries; checking and responding to the press inbox; media monitoring and securing press coverage. The Press Officer will assist with media work through print, online and broadcast news to help build understanding, awareness and consideration of the organisation’s mission and goal. The Press Officer will support and advise colleagues, food banks in the network and external stakeholders to ensure they receive media coverage of strategically important projects.
Role responsibilities
· Handle incoming enquiries and provide accurate, timely and appropriate responses, briefing journalists in line with the Trussell Trust’s key messages and priorities.
· Build relationships across the organisation, within the food bank network, with external stakeholders such as corporate partners, and with journalists to assist with securing coverage across national, regional and local media to reach new audiences and build cause awareness
· Horizon scan for media opportunities and develop innovative integrated communication plans, overseeing advice, statements, timelines, and key messaging to engage specific audience segments.
· Arrange spokespeople for interviews and support with organising and managing press visits to food banks, as well as photo calls, to support the organisation’s communications priorities and campaigns
· Circulate regular coverage updates across the organisation and help maintain and develop media databases, key performance indicator reports and other admin systems and processes to ensure continuous improvement
· Act as the media lead on proactive projects that help build understanding and awareness of both Trussell Trust and the food bank network’s strategic objectives.
· Participate in regular 1:1s and annual reviews, contributing to the identification of objectives and targets, and monitoring of progress towards them
· Participate in an out-of-hours rota for media enquiries.
Person Specification
Technical skills and minimum knowledge:
· Experience of working within a press office environment/PR
agency with a track record of securing high-impact coverage.
· A confident communicator who demonstrates strong written and verbal communication skills.
· Demonstrates experience of tailoring communication for different audiences and circumstances.
· Knowledge of UK national, regional and local media and how to leverage them to get key messages out to the public. Some experience of handling media enquiries and speaking to journalists.
· Has a clear idea of priorities and manages own time appropriately while delivering key outputs and replying to requests in a timely fashion
Behaviours and competencies:
· Demonstrate dedication to the values of the Trussell Trust
· Demonstrates empathy for people from disadvantaged, marginalised or socially excluded backgrounds
· Commit to occasional need to work outside of normal working hours and to travel throughout the UK
· Passionate about the work of the Trussell Trust and able to represent it and its values effectively
· Demonstrates resilience, resourcefulness, flexibility and perseverance
Role models inclusive behaviours and values