Press Officer - 12 Month FTC in Manchester

Press Officer - 12 Month FTC in Manchester

Manchester Full-Time 28800 - 43200 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Irwin Mitchell

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Join our press office to create impactful stories and manage media coverage.
  • Company: Irwin Mitchell is a leading law firm committed to social responsibility and diversity.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, flexible working, and volunteering days for your chosen cause.
  • Other info: This is a 12-month fixed-term contract covering maternity leave.
  • Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team that shapes public perception and drives client engagement.
  • Qualifications: Experience in PR or journalism with strong writing skills is essential.

The predicted salary is between 28800 - 43200 £ per year.

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Press Officer - 12 Month FTC, Manchester

Client:

Location:

Manchester, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

EU work permit required:

Yes

Job Reference:

d261707ede0c

Job Views:

5

Posted:

19.08.2025

Expiry Date:

03.10.2025

Job Description:

Your Role and What You\'ll Be Doing

We\'re looking for a PR professional to join the busy Irwin Mitchell press office – helping to maximise media coverage across national, regional, and broadcast media. You\'ll manage content on our news site and social channels, support day-to-day PR delivery, and respond to media enquiries—focusing on key regional offices and business units. Working closely with Legal, Business Development, and Marketing teams, you\'ll align PR activity with business strategy to secure targeted media coverage. This role primarily supports our personal injury and medical negligence teams.

This is a 12-month fixed-term contract covering maternity leave.

What You’ll Be Doing

  • Collaborate with colleagues across the business to identify and develop stories that generate strategic media coverage, drafting press releases and comments for approval.
  • Take a strategic, ROI-focused approach to PR to maintain and grow editorial share of voice in regional and national media. Work with colleagues and clients to write impactful human stories which will attract the attention of the mainstream UK media.
  • Help drive new client enquiries through impactful media coverage.
  • Contribute to integrated marketing and PR campaigns.
  • Safeguard the business from legal or reputational risk in media activity by applying relevant media law (e.g., defamation, GDPR, court orders).
  • Support clients and colleagues involved in PR activity, including media handling at public court hearings.
  • Deliver basic media training and interview preparation for legal teams.
  • Use media monitoring tools and Google Analytics to report on coverage and inform future strategy.
  • Develop newsgathering processes to turn insights into timely content.
  • Monitor breaking news for opportunities to provide comment.
  • Help manage the Press Office inbox and phone line, acting as a first point of contact for journalists.
  • Track and report on PR activity, focusing on ROI and external communication KPIs.
  • Collaborate with colleagues in Business Development and Marketing to amplify media stories across other digital and social channels.
  • Align PR with Digital Marketing and SEO teams to maximise content visibility and performance.

About You

Essential

  • Direct experience and thorough understanding of the media, either as a journalist or from direct PR experience dealing day-to-day with national and regional media, with a demonstrable track record of achieving widespread coverage.
  • Strong writing skills, able to create human interest case studies quickly and accurately that attract the attention of the mainstream media in the UK.

Desirable

  • Experience in professional services or consumer PR.
  • An understanding of markets relevant to Irwin Mitchell, particularly Personal Injury and Medical Negligence.
  • Proficient in using media databases and monitoring tools.
  • Experience contributing to social media accounts and digital PR strategies.
  • Knowledge of basic SEO techniques to optimise news content.
  • Familiarity with website content management systems.
  • Applicable knowledge of media law, including defamation, GDPR, and court reporting.

Our Benefits - What We Can Offer You

  • 25 days holidays as standard plus bank holidays - You can ‘buy’ up to 35hrs of extra holiday too.
  • Generous and flexible pension schemes.
  • Volunteering days – Two days of volunteering every year for a cause of your choice (fully paid).
  • Westfield Health membership, offering refunds on medical services alongside our Aviva Digital GP services.

We also offer a wide range of well-being initiatives to encourage positive mental health both in and out of the workplace and to make sure you’re fully supported. This includes our Flexible by Choice programme which gives our colleagues more choice over a hybrid way of working subject to role, team, and client requirements.

We have been ranked in the Best Workplaces for Wellbeing for Large Organisations for 2024!

Our responsible business programmes are fundamental to who we are and our purpose. We’re committed to being a diverse and inclusive workplace where our colleagues can flourish, and we have established a number of inclusion network groups across our business to support this aim.

Our commitment to Social Responsibility, community investment activity and tackling climate change is a fundamental part of who we are. It’s made up of four strands: Our People, Our Community, Our Environment and Our Pro Bono.

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Press Officer - 12 Month FTC in Manchester employer: Irwin Mitchell

Irwin Mitchell is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Manchester where PR professionals can thrive. With a strong focus on employee well-being, generous benefits including flexible working options, and a commitment to diversity and social responsibility, we empower our team members to grow and make a meaningful impact in their roles. Join us to be part of a supportive culture that values collaboration and innovation while contributing to important causes.

Irwin Mitchell

Contact Details:

Irwin Mitchell Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Press Officer - 12 Month FTC in Manchester

Tip Number 1

Network with professionals in the PR industry, especially those who have experience in legal or medical sectors. Attend relevant events or webinars to connect with potential colleagues and learn about the latest trends in media coverage.

Tip Number 2

Familiarise yourself with the specific media landscape in Manchester and the UK. Understanding regional media outlets and their audiences can help you tailor your approach and demonstrate your knowledge during interviews.

Tip Number 3

Stay updated on current events, particularly in personal injury and medical negligence. Being able to discuss recent news stories and how they relate to the role will show your enthusiasm and readiness to contribute from day one.

Tip Number 4

Practice your media handling skills by simulating interviews or press interactions. This will not only boost your confidence but also prepare you for the practical aspects of the role, which is crucial for a Press Officer.

We think you need these skills to ace Press Officer - 12 Month FTC in Manchester

Media Relations
Press Release Writing
Content Creation
Strategic Communication
Public Relations Strategy
Media Monitoring Tools
Google Analytics

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in PR and media. Focus on your achievements in securing media coverage, especially in personal injury and medical negligence sectors, as these are key areas for the role.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:In your cover letter, demonstrate your understanding of the media landscape and how your skills align with the job requirements. Mention specific examples of successful PR campaigns you've managed or contributed to.

Showcase Your Writing Skills:Since strong writing skills are essential for this role, consider including samples of press releases or articles you've written. This will give the hiring team a clear idea of your ability to create engaging content.

Highlight Relevant Tools and Techniques:Mention any experience you have with media monitoring tools, Google Analytics, and SEO techniques. This shows that you are not only familiar with the industry but also equipped to handle the technical aspects of the role.

How to prepare for a job interview at Irwin Mitchell

Know Your Media Landscape

Familiarise yourself with the current media landscape, especially in relation to personal injury and medical negligence. Be prepared to discuss recent news stories and how they relate to the role, showcasing your understanding of what makes a compelling story.

Showcase Your Writing Skills

Since strong writing skills are essential for this position, bring examples of your previous work, such as press releases or articles. Be ready to discuss your writing process and how you tailor content for different audiences.

Demonstrate Strategic Thinking

Prepare to discuss how you would approach PR campaigns strategically. Think about how you can align PR activities with business goals and be ready to share ideas on measuring ROI and success metrics.

Understand Media Law Basics

Brush up on relevant media laws, including defamation and GDPR. Be prepared to discuss how you would safeguard the company from legal risks in your PR activities, demonstrating your knowledge and responsibility in handling sensitive information.