Corporate Affairs & Smart Mobility Press Officer in Basildon

Are you considering a new position for the New Year? Do you have experience in either PR, Marketing or communications? Are you confident and outgoing? Are you comfortable communicating with external media and senior leadership alike? Do you have outstanding writing and analysis skills appropriate for print and social media? Do you have the knowledge of and ability to interact positively with social and web media? Are you happy to work on a long-term contract basis?

I am currently working with one of my clients who are one of the UK’s largest and most influential Automotive OEMs. They are currently searching for a Corporate Affairs & Smart Mobility Press Officer to join their team on a long-term rolling contract basis. You will be based within the HR & Corporate Services team working onsite at the production plant located in the South East Region of the UK. Base 37.5 hours per week with overtime available at premium rates after 12 weeks duration.

Position Description

Reporting to the News Manager, Corporate Affairs, the Press Officer will be responsible for:

• Addressing corporate, trade, business and financial news media issues as part of the corporate team and interacting with national, regional and specialist print, broadcast and web media.
• Subject headings include technology, manufacturing, vehicle sales and service, employment and diversity issues.
• Establishing and developing direct working relationships with key media in the subject headings above.
• Establishing strong relationships with key contacts within the SMMT to align with industry positions in a dynamic, rapidly-changing media environment.
• Forging new internal and external UK media contacts within the area of Smart Mobility to build awareness of this key new investment and keep pace with its rapid growth.
• Supporting C&PA leadership in the development of positioning and response paperwork in the rapidly evolving and complex areas of the business such as Brexit, CO2/NOx emissions etc.
• Maintaining a comprehensive contacts list for all key media categorised by media type, platform and subject matter.
• Establishing and developing internal relationships with client departments such as HR, Manufacturing, Engineering, Marketing, Sales, Land etc. to support corporate affairs activities.
• Development and dissemination of proactive news and feature stories.
• Development of general media materials (press releases, statements, Q&A, etc.) for the corporate affairs team.
• Supporting events and heritage operations managed by the corporate team.
• Ensuring a first-class reactive communication response service to media enquiries.
• Briefing photographers and managing photographic/video shoots supporting corporate communications.
• With the news manager, maintain a day-to-day working relationship between corporate affairs and the corporate affairs department in the UK and Germany.
• Responsible for overseeing the Heritage Centre operation, including leading two hourly employees, strategic operation of 100 assets, health and safety responsibility etc.

Skills Required

• Confident and outgoing manner comfortable communicating with external media and senior leadership alike.
• Outstanding writing and analysis skills appropriate for print and social media.
• Knowledge of and ability to interact positively with social and web media.
• Interpersonal skills enabling strong relationship building internally and externally.
• Academic qualifications appropriate to the auto industry and public affairs.
• A driving licence and demonstrated interest in cars and the automotive industry.

Experience Required

• Experience in either PR, Marketing or communications role.

Education Required

• Degree – Highly desired but not essential if they have suitable experience.

Additional Information

This is a unique and significant position for a team player looking to make a key contribution to the reputation of the UK’s best-known and highest profile automotive brand during a period of rapid change and evolution. This varied role offers the successful candidate the opportunity to broaden their skill base as the business responds to new Smart Mobility growth, build new internal and external contacts, and learn from close and frequent contact with the senior leadership teams.