Senior Press Officer in London

Senior Press Officer in London

London Full-Time 45986 - 54863 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
C

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a media team, crafting impactful narratives and managing press operations in high-pressure situations.
  • Company: Join the Metropolitan Police, a dynamic organisation dedicated to keeping London safe.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, pension scheme, 28 days holiday, and additional benefits.
  • Other info: Inclusive workplace committed to diversity and providing support for all applicants.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in public safety while shaping media strategies in a fast-paced environment.
  • Qualifications: Experience in media management, crisis communications, and strong writing skills required.

The predicted salary is between 45986 - 54863 £ per year.

As a Senior Press Officer, you will lead a small team of media professionals in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment, where every decision counts.

You will need to find impactful ways to keep the public informed and reassured while supporting our frontline officers who keep the capital safe.

Client Details

In the Met Police, the Senior Press Officer role is not like other roles.

One day you might be handling communications on a breaking operational issue.

The next you might be explaining how the Met is upping its game in dealing with violence against women and girls, protecting our communities or using new technologies.

Or you could be finding and telling stories of officer bravery on the front line.

In any given month you could go from managing press conferences at the cordon of a major crime scene, to supporting senior detectives and the families of victims during trials at the Old Bailey.

You could be working in our Specialist Operations Room supporting senior officers during the highest profile protests and ceremonial events or overseeing media as they film officers breaking down doors to tackle drugs gangs blighting communities.

While others say it, we can guarantee it - no two days will be the same.

Additional Info: Competency and Values Framework for policing

The Competency and Values Framework (CVF) aims to support all policing professionals, now and into the future.

It sets out nationally recognised behaviours, which will provide a consistent foundation for a range of Met and national processes.

As part of the role, you are expected to operate and demonstrate the competencies as set out in the national policing competency and values framework to the levels as shown below:

Level 2: 'We are emotionally aware' 'We are collaborative' 'We deliver, support and inspire' 'We are innovative and open minded'

Level 3: 'We take ownership'; 'We analyse critically'

We will also test a number of behaviours you would be expected to demonstrate in this role, these include:

  • - Influencing and persuading
  • - Making effective decisions
  • - Managing a quality service
  • - Seeing the big picture
  • - Changing and improving
  • - Resilience
  • - Achieving outcomes

An overview and full details of the Competency and Values Framework can be downloaded from Met Careers pages.

  • Description
  • As a Senior Press Officer your Key Responsibilities will include but not be limited to:
  • - Lead media strategy: Oversee both proactive and reactive media activities, ensuring high-quality, consistent coverage that aligns with the Met's priorities.
  • - Press office management: Take charge of press operations, crafting powerful narratives and responding to the fast-moving news cycle with confidence and precision.
  • - Build relationships: Cultivate strong relationships with journalists and key stakeholders, positioning yourself and your team as trusted sources of information on sensitive and high-profile matters.
  • - Innovate across channels: Leverage digital tools, insights, and a range of communication channels to ensure our messaging hits the mark with diverse audiences.
  • - Leadership: Play a pivotal role in shaping long-term communication strategies while offering senior-level media advice on significant incidents and complex issues and supporting your team to do the same.
  • Profile

You're not just a media professional - you're a strategic thinker with a keen sense of the news cycle, political awareness, and a proven track record of managing media in high-pressure environments.

You'll need to be quick on your feet, leading a team with energy and vision while navigating the complexities of policing communications in the capital.

Key skills we're looking for

  • - A sharp news sense and excellent writing skills.
  • - Experience managing teams in a fast-paced, high-pressure setting, with some demonstrable working knowledge of crisis communications and reputation management
  • - The ability to build and maintain relationships with journalists and senior stakeholders.
  • - Enjoys handling both proactive and reactive media strategies.
  • - Expertise in digital content creation and using data to target audiences effectively.
  • - Happy to be office based 3 days/week (your main base is New Scotland Yard but you may travel to variety of London locations according to business need)

This is a full-time, permanent position working 36 hours a week, including weekends on a rota basis (every 2 months).

You'll also be part of an on-call press office system, ensuring 24/7 coverage (1 night/month).

You will earn further premium pay and allowances through on call responsibilities and weekend working.

  • Job Offer
  • - The salary is broken down as £45,986 basic salary, which will increase annually until you reach the top of the scale £54,863.

Plus, a location allowance of £2,009 and a non-pensionable allowance of £1,000.

  • - Membership in the Civil Service Pension Scheme.
  • - 28 days of holiday plus bank holidays
  • - Additional opt in benefit schemes

People are at the heart of The Metropolitan Police & Michael Page.

We are committed to creating an inclusive environment.

As an inclusive recruiter we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities and experiences.

If you require any adjustments or accommodations during the recruitment process, we'll work with you to ensure you can perform at your best.

Disability Confident Statement

The Met is committed to being an equitable (fair and impartial) and inclusive employer for disabled people, striving to have a diverse and representative workforce at all levels.

We encourage applications from people from the widest possible range of backgrounds, cultures and experiences.

We particularly welcome applications from people with disabilities and long-term conditions, ethnic minority groups and women.

As a Disability Confident Leader, the Met has committed to making disability equality part of our everyday practice.

We ensure that people with disabilities and those with long term conditions have the opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations.

The Met is committed to making reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process to ensure disabled applicants can perform at their best.

If you need any reasonable adjustments or changes to the application and recruitment process, we ask that you include this information within your application form.

All matters will be treated in strict confidence.

Applications for this position will close at 5pm on Wednesday 16th September 2026

Please note ALL third Party applications will be forwarded to Michael Page.

#J-18808-Ljbffr

Senior Press Officer in London employer: Confidential

As a leading employer in the data centre operations sector, we offer an exceptional work environment that prioritises employee growth and development. Our collaborative culture fosters innovation and accountability, while our commitment to safety and operational excellence ensures that you will be part of a team that values your contributions. With opportunities for international travel and the chance to lead critical operations across the EMEA region, this role provides a unique platform for impactful leadership and career advancement.

C

Contact Details:

Confidential Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Press Officer in London

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 Confidential. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to learn about trends and make lasting connections.

Showcase Your PR Skills

Start building your personal brand as a PR ace. Use platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn to share your thoughts on current events or PR campaigns you admire. Tagging companies you want to work for, like Confidential, can catch their eye—especially if your insights resonate!

Leverage Your Network

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!

Tailor Your Approach

When applying for a full-time PR role, make sure to research Confidential inside and out. Understanding their campaigns, values, and style allows us to directly align our application and impress during interviews. Don't hesitate to apply through our website—going direct can make a real difference!

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Press Officer in London

Media Strategy Development
Crisis Communications
Reputation Management
Team Leadership
Relationship Building
Proactive and Reactive Media Handling
Digital Content Creation

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 Confidential. 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 Confidential.

How to prepare for a job interview at Confidential

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.

Know Your PR Tools Inside Out

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.