Senior News and Media Officer in City of Westminster

Salary: £44,340

Role duration: Permanent (37.5 hours per week)

Location: London, UK (Hybrid - 50% office attendance)

Summary purpose – what you will be achieving

The purpose of this role is to support the delivery of the Academy’s news and media strategy by promoting and protecting its reputation across print, broadcast and digital media. Working closely with the News and Media Manager, you will help run the press office day-to-day, delivering timely, accurate and high-quality media engagement that advances the Academy’s objectives.

You will identify and secure media opportunities, draft and pitch stories, respond to enquiries, and produce press materials and briefings. You will coordinate interviews, manage media logistics, and maintain strong relationships with journalists and communications colleagues across partner organisations. You will also contribute media monitoring and insight to inform planning and reputational awareness.

Working collaboratively with colleagues and external partners - including researchers, funders, patient groups and sector bodies - you will ensure the Academy’s work is communicated clearly and with impact. You will support spokespeople to engage confidently with the media and contribute to briefings and training where needed.

You will bring strong news judgement, excellent writing skills and a proactive, organised approach, with the confidence to manage routine press activity independently and elevate sensitive issues appropriately. You will build trusted relationships with journalists and partners, delivering accurate and impactful communications for audiences including researchers, policymakers, patients and the public.

About the role – what you will be doing

• Monitor the news agenda and sector developments to identify opportunities for Academy input, proactively pitching agreed stories and commentary to relevant journalists and working with colleagues to maximise coverage.
• Build, maintain and continually develop comprehensive media contact lists, strengthening working relationships with specialist journalists, producers, feature writers and commentators.
• Take responsibility for the day-to-day management of media enquiries, acting as a first point of contact for journalists, coordinating responses and ensuring timely handling in line with agreed processes, including supporting out-of-hours cover where required.
• Independently write high-quality press releases, response quotes, briefings and other press materials for review by the News and Media Manager, coordinating sign-off and managing distribution.
• Organise and oversee media interviews, briefings, events and filming requests, liaising confidently with journalists and spokespeople to ensure smooth delivery and clear messaging.
• Support spokespeople with media briefings and background information, and assist in delivering media and communications training for Fellows, grant awardees and other expert voices.
• Produce and develop daily media monitoring and weekly sector intelligence briefings, highlighting emerging trends, risks and opportunities for staff, Council and Fellows.
• Prepare background media briefings on reputational or sensitive issues and maintain live monitoring of coverage and developments, escalating concerns to the News and Media Manager as appropriate.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with communications colleagues across partner organisations, including national academies, funders, universities, charities and government departments.
• Monitor, analyse and evaluate the Academy’s media profile, maintaining accurate records and contributing insight and content to regular impact and performance reporting against KPIs.
• Support the effective running of press office systems and processes, identifying opportunities to improve ways of working and ensuring accurate record-keeping and contact management.
• Act as a reliable deputy on routine press office matters for the News and Media Manager, escalating complex or high-risk issues as required.

Qualifications

• An interest in science and health communications.
• Insight into the way the media works and an ability to identify newsworthy stories, preferably from experience working in a busy news environment.
• Skills in media monitoring, evaluation and reporting.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to communicate complex information in an engaging and accessible way.
• Team player with the ability to work collaboratively and support colleagues.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Anticipates reputational risks and takes ownership to ensure robust results.
• Motivation, determination and persistence even in difficult situations.

We provide our staff with a comprehensive benefits package outlined as follows:

• Competitive Rewards
• Generous pension scheme with flexible contributions – we contribute between 8% - 13% of your gross salary (with employee contributions of 3% - 8%)
• Life assurance at three times your salary
• Work-life Balance
• Hybrid and agile working. 50% office attendance.
• 26 days annual leave, plus Christmas closure days and bank holidays
• Buying and selling leave
• Family-friendly policies including enhanced maternity and paternity leave (subject to a qualifying period)
• Wellbeing and Development
• Complimentary subscriptions to Headspace and Classpass to support your physical and mental wellbeing
• Support through tailored learning and development
• Additional Benefits
• A range of enhanced benefits become available once you’ve completed your probation period