At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage communications for Conservative Assembly Members, generating media coverage and responding to enquiries.
- Company: Join the London Assembly's dynamic Secretariat team in the heart of London.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a chance to influence London's future.
- Other info: Work at City Hall with opportunities for career growth and networking.
- Why this job: Make an impact in politics while honing your communication skills in a high-profile environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in media handling and communications, especially in high-profile organisations.
The predicted salary is between 37800 - 46200 £ per year.
The London Assembly scrutinises the Mayor's activities by questioning the Mayor about their decisions. The Assembly also investigates issues of importance to London. There are 25 Assembly Members, elected every four years at the same time as the Mayor. The Secretariat works for the Assembly to support its activities. The Communications Team supports service to promote the work of the Assembly through press office, social media, publicity and events.
We are a team of 12 officers who support the seven Conservative London Assembly Members in scrutinising the work of the Greater London Authority and Mayor of London.
This is a chance to take on a unique role as a Senior Communications Officer for the City Hall Conservative Members of the London Assembly, specialising in managing communications support. You will be responsible for generating digital and traditional media coverage for the assigned Assembly Member(s) in relation to the range of their GLA roles and functions and to respond to media enquiries effectively, accurately and quickly, ensuring that responses properly reflect the particular Member’s views. Organised, collaborative and diplomatic, you will bring to the role a talent for communicating and influencing, both in person and in writing. Experience of working in a similar role or sector is essential.
What your day will look like:
- Generating media coverage for the assigned Assembly Member(s) in relation to the range of their GLA roles and functions and to respond to media enquiries effectively, accurately and quickly, ensuring that responses properly reflect the particular Member’s views.
- Developing and implementing media-based tasks, including but not limited to, producing digital, video and newsletter content.
- Effectively monitoring relevant media activity, and providing effective and timely advice to relevant Assembly Members, including early warning of potential issues, in relation to media management.
- Developing and implementing comprehensive, proactive and effective communications strategies for assigned Assembly Members, working in close coordination with other staff in the Group at all times.
- Supporting Assembly Members with event coordination, speech and article drafting, website updating, etc.
Skills, Knowledge And Experience:
To be considered for the role you must meet the following essential criteria:
- Evidence of working successfully, in a similar role in a high-profile organisation.
- Understanding and experience of media handling techniques, including strategies, designing and delivering effective communications plans for elected politicians.
- Ability to utilise the latest information and communication technologies in relation to media issues, including designing or commissioning leaflets, newsletters and other documents.
- Experience of working with video editing software is essential.
Behavioural Competencies:
- Communicating and Influencing: Presenting information and arguments clearly and convincingly so that others see us as credible, articulate and engage with us.
- Building and Managing Relationships: Developing rapport and working effectively with a diverse range of people, sharing knowledge and skills to deliver shared goals.
- Organisational Awareness: Understanding and being sensitive to organisational dynamics, culture and politics across and beyond the GLA and shaping our approach accordingly.
- Responding to Pressure and Change: Being flexible and adapting positively, to sustain performance when the situation changes, workload increases, tensions rise or priorities shift.
- Planning and Organising: Thinking ahead, managing time, priorities and risk, and developing structured and efficient approaches to deliver work on time and to a high standard.
- Research and Analysis: Gathering intelligence (information, opinion and data) from varied sources, making sense of it, testing its validity and drawing conclusions that can lead to practical benefits.
This role is based at City Hall, Royal Docks (Kamal Chunchie Way, London, E16 1ZE).
Senior Communications Officer in London employer: Greater London Authority
The Greater London Authority is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where collaboration and innovation thrive. With a strong commitment to social impact, employees benefit from a comprehensive package that includes flexible working arrangements, generous annual leave, and opportunities for professional growth. Working in the heart of London, you will be part of a team dedicated to making a meaningful difference in the community through participation, inclusion, and sustainability initiatives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Communications 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 Greater London Authority. 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 Greater London Authority, 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 Greater London Authority 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 Communications Officer in London
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 Greater London Authority. 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 Greater London Authority.
How to prepare for a job interview at Greater London Authority
✨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.
