At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape the national news agenda and create engaging transport policy headlines.
- Company: Join the Department for Transport, a dynamic part of the Civil Service.
- Benefits: Enjoy a generous pension, 25 days leave, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make an impact in communications while promoting sustainable transport initiatives.
- Qualifications: Experience in communications and media, with strong writing skills.
The predicted salary is between 23400 - 28600 £ per year.
Location: Birmingham, Leeds, London (This role is suitable for hybrid working)
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
As a media officer at the Department for Transport (DfT), you could be helping shape the national news agenda every day, creating headlines from transport policy and showcasing the latest announcements through creative communications approaches and visuals. No two days are the same in the communications directorate. You might be communicating our reform of the railways, highlighting the department’s work to improve bus services, or promoting transport’s key role in encouraging the transition to electric vehicles.
You’ll need to be a confident and talented writer and at ease working in a fast-paced environment. You’ll also need to show a flair for spotting when there are factual inaccuracies in media stories and be able to build strong relationships with key partners, including journalists, stakeholders, Ministers and Special Advisers.
Top Responsibilities
- You will play an important role in responding to media enquiries, working with policy and Ministerial teams to inform and educate the public.
- You will also work proactively on government announcements on a range of significant transport policies and campaigns, using insight and creative communication handling to speak to our audiences on the platforms they use, including new media and social media.
- This will involve exciting Ministerial visit opportunities, planning interviews and maximising positive coverage.
- You will play an important role in a 24-hour communications team and will be part of a duty rota able to respond to enquiries out-of-hours. This includes working weekends and evenings and comes with a competitive remuneration package.
Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits:
- Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary.
- 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave).
- 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King’s birthday.
- Access to the staff discount portal.
- Excellent career development opportunities and the potential to undertake professional qualifications relevant to your role paid for by the department, such as CIPD, Prince2, apprenticeships, etc.
- Joining a diverse and inclusive workforce with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues.
- 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.
- Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.
About You
Required experience: To be successful in this role you will need to have the following experience:
- Experience of working within communications and/or media.
- Experience of developing proactive and reactive communications approaches.
- Experience of working collaboratively with others to deliver at pace and manage competing demands.
This vacancy closes at 23:55 on Wednesday 30th September 2026.
Media Officer in Birmingham employer: Department for Transport (DfT), United Kingdom
The Department for Transport is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters collaboration and innovation in the heart of Birmingham. With a strong commitment to employee development, you will have access to numerous growth opportunities while enjoying the flexibility of hybrid working arrangements. Join us to make a meaningful impact on digital governance and risk assurance within a supportive and forward-thinking team.
Contact Details:
Department for Transport (DfT), United Kingdom Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Media Officer in Birmingham
✨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 Department for Transport (DfT), United Kingdom. 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 Department for Transport (DfT), United Kingdom, 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 Department for Transport (DfT), United Kingdom 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 Media Officer in Birmingham
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 Department for Transport (DfT), United Kingdom. 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 Department for Transport (DfT), United Kingdom.
How to prepare for a job interview at Department for Transport (DfT), United Kingdom
✨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.
