At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape the conversation around bookselling and support impactful campaigns.
- Company: Join the Booksellers Association, representing 95% of UK and Ireland booksellers.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, discretionary bonus, and a vibrant work culture.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities to engage with key stakeholders and travel.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the creative and cultural heart of the industry.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and a passion for public affairs or communications.
Contract: Permanent, full-time
Salary: £32,000 per annum, plus discretionary bonus and benefits
Location: London, with a minimum of three days per week in the office
Reporting to: Head of Policy & Public Affairs and Head of PR & Communications
Help shape the conversation around bookselling in the UK and Ireland. The Booksellers Association is looking for a Communications & Public Affairs Officer to join our team. This is an exciting opportunity for someone with a passion for communications, public affairs or both, who wants to make a real impact in an organisation at the heart of the bookselling industry.
Working closely with our Head of Policy & Public Affairs and Head of PR & Communications, you'll help tell the story of the Booksellers Association, raise the profile of our work, support campaigns that champion bookshops, and build relationships with politicians, policymakers, the media and key industry stakeholders.
No two days are the same. One day you could be helping to organise a Parliamentary reception, the next drafting social media content, supporting a consumer PR campaign or monitoring political developments that affect booksellers across the UK and Ireland.
If you're enthusiastic, organised and enjoy working across a variety of projects, we'd love to hear from you.
About us: The Booksellers Association is the membership organisation representing over 95% of booksellers across the UK and Ireland. We exist to champion, support and represent booksellers, helping them thrive through industry-leading services, commercial products, campaigning and advocacy. Our work includes National Book Tokens, Batch, Books Are My Bag, Independent Bookshop Week, the Indie Book Awards and many other initiatives that celebrate reading and support local bookshops.
What you'll be doing: You'll work across both communications and public affairs, helping to deliver a wide range of activities, including:
- Communications & PR
- Managing and developing our social media channels, including Instagram and LinkedIn.
- Creating engaging newsletters and website content.
- Supporting high-profile consumer campaigns such as Books Are My Bag, Independent Bookshop Week, Bookshop Day, the Indie Book Awards and Indie Book of the Month.
- Coordinating media activity and helping to secure press coverage.
- Maintaining media databases and monitoring press coverage.
- Drafting press releases, media briefings, communications plans and key messaging.
- Policy & Public Affairs
- Organising meetings, bookshop visits and Parliamentary events.
- Monitoring political developments across Westminster and the devolved administrations.
- Supporting the production of policy briefings, consultation responses and publications.
- Building positive relationships with Parliamentarians, Civil Servants and other key stakeholders.
About you: We're looking for someone who is an excellent communicator, enjoys building relationships and thrives in a varied, fast-paced environment. You may already have experience in communications, PR or public affairs, or you may have worked in Parliament, Government, a trade association, charity, think tank or similar organisation.
You’ll also have:
- Excellent written communication skills and great attention to detail.
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
- Confidence working with a wide range of stakeholders.
- The ability to work independently while contributing positively to a collaborative team.
- A genuine interest in culture, retail or public policy.
- A willingness to travel across the UK and Ireland when required.
Why join us? At the Booksellers Association, you'll have the opportunity to work on meaningful projects that support an industry with creativity, culture and community at its heart. You’ll work alongside knowledgeable and passionate colleagues, gain exposure to senior stakeholders across the publishing and political landscape, and contribute to campaigns that make a real difference to booksellers throughout the UK and Ireland.
Our commitment to inclusion: The Booksellers Association is committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome, respected and able to thrive. We believe that a diverse workforce strengthens our organisation and helps us better represent the communities we serve. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, identities and experiences, particularly those who are underrepresented within our sector. If you don't meet every requirement but feel you could be a great fit for the role, we would still love to hear from you. We are committed to making our recruitment process as accessible as possible. If you require any adjustments or support during the recruitment process, please let us know and we'll be happy to help.
Communications & Public Affairs Officer employer: BOOKSELLERS ASSOCIATION
The Booksellers Association is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that champions creativity and community within the bookselling industry. Located in London, employees benefit from engaging projects that make a tangible impact, alongside opportunities for professional growth and collaboration with passionate colleagues. With a commitment to diversity and inclusion, the organisation fosters an environment where every voice is valued, making it an ideal place for those looking to contribute meaningfully to the cultural landscape of the UK and Ireland.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Communications & Public Affairs Officer
✨Get Involved in PR Events
Dive into local PR meetups and workshops. Events like these are perfect for getting your face out there, chatting with industry pros, and spotting potential job openings at companies like BOOKSELLERS ASSOCIATION. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to learn about trends and make lasting connections.
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Reach out to friends, family, or connections in the PR field. Even a casual chat can lead to opportunities. If you've got mutual contacts, ask for introductions when applying. Personal recommendations can give your application a nice little boost!
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We think you need these skills to ace Communications & Public Affairs Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Get Your Story Straight:In public relations, storytelling is everything! Make sure your CV highlights your experience in crafting compelling narratives and managing media relations. Share specific examples of campaigns you've worked on, and don’t forget to include any press coverage you've generated—it's impressive proof of your skills!
Show Off Your Communication Skills:Since PR is all about communication, we want to see your best writing samples. Include pieces like press releases, blog posts, or social media content that you've created. This gives us a taste of your voice and your ability to convey messages clearly and effectively, which is crucial for a role in this field.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter should be more than just a recap of your CV; it’s your chance to shine! Emphasise why PR excites you and how your background fits with the mission of BOOKSELLERS ASSOCIATION. Show us that you’ve done your homework and speak to why you’re passionate about the work we do.
Connect the Dots:When you’re writing your application, think about how your past experiences link to the responsibilities of the role. Mention any internships, volunteer work, or projects that involved public speaking, event planning, or strategic communication. This will help us see how you can seamlessly bring your skills into a full-time position at BOOKSELLERS ASSOCIATION.
How to prepare for a job interview at BOOKSELLERS ASSOCIATION
✨Master the Art of Storytelling
In public relations, storytelling is key. We should prepare compelling narratives about past campaigns or projects we’ve worked on. Think about how we can illustrate our impact and creativity in those stories—be ready to discuss specific examples that showcase our skills in managing media relationships and crafting messages.
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Familiarity with PR tools like Cision or Meltwater is crucial. We need to be able to discuss how we’ve used these tools in past roles or projects. If we've worked on media lists, press releases, or analytics reports, let’s have those experiences ready to share along with metrics we’ve achieved to back up our claims.
✨Stay Current with Industry Trends
We’ve got to stay sharp on the latest trends and events impacting the public relations field. Having a few insights ready about recent campaigns or shifts in media landscapes can show that we’re engaged and knowledgeable. This will also help us make connections between our experiences and the current state of the industry.
✨Showcase Our Versatility
As full-time PR professionals, we need to demonstrate our adaptability. Be ready to talk about how we've handled challenging situations, managed crises, or adapted strategies on the fly. Employers will appreciate our ability to pivot and find solutions under pressure, so let’s have those scenarios at our fingertips to discuss.
