Senior Press Officer in London

Main purpose and scope of the job: Ensure the NRLA stays at the heart of the media debate surrounding the future of the UK private rented sector. Support the operation of a fast-paced press office, taking the lead in monitoring and fielding national, trade and local media queries on a short turnaround time. Agile, working both independently and collaboratively as part of a team as appropriate, with strong writing skills and an understanding of what makes for a compelling narrative. An awareness of what drives a news cycle, what journalists want in the way of compelling content, and the ways in which organisations can shape their sector’s agenda.

Duties and Key Responsibilities:

• Press office and media liaison
• Fielding inbound press inbox queries, comment requests and interview opportunities from media outlets
• Creating media content such as press releases and reactive statements, which is consistent with our wider messaging and communications strategy
• Ensuring that the NRLA’s tone of voice is consistent across all PR content
• Overseeing and growing the NRLA’s member case study database
• Maintaining our media lists of press contacts
• Helping, in partnership with the Head of Media Relations and other team members, to oversee the NRLA’s press line. Some out of hours work may be required in certain circumstances
• Building relationships with national, trade and local journalists at target media outlets through networking
• Create and coordinate proactive media opportunities
• Using your creative skills to generate strong media angles which can be sold in to target media
• Monitoring and identifying forward feature opportunities and journalist portals which the NRLA can use to engage with target media outlets
• Writing compelling and incisive short and long form pro-active content, such as articles, blogs and commentary
• Advise and coach spokespeople in support of NRLA messaging
• Briefing spokespeople on how to deal with press interviews
• Looking for, and advising on, innovating ways to interact with audiences, including arranging live and interactive discussions on social media and other platforms
• Closely monitor our audience profile and develop an understanding of the various issues facing the private rented sector
• Work collaboratively in cross-functional teams to maximise impact
• Liaising with our communications, campaigns, policy, marketing, commercial and events colleagues to ensure we are delivering the right messages, through the right channels, to the right people
• Play a pivotal role, in partnership with these teams, in the forward planning process for PR content
• Work with our research team to draw out key insights from our reports on the state of the private rented sector

Person Specification:

• Qualifications: Relevant university degree or equivalent is desirable but not essential
• Skills & Abilities:
• Excellent editorial skills, the ability to write and edit engagingly, targeting varied audiences
• A strong understanding of what makes the UK’s national, trade and local media tick
• Able to work pro-actively and collaboratively with other teams
• Experience of working at pace in high-intensity, short turnaround situations and managing work effectively during these periods
• Experience:
• Essential: At least 3 years’ experience working on communications campaigns in a fast-paced professional services environment
• An ability to work independently and display initiative in a busy press office
• An understanding of how to act as a driving force on projects to deliver maximum impact
• Desirable: Familiarity with social media platforms and AI-driven comms tactics
• A background working within a membership organisation
• Experience of housing issues, especially private rented housing
• Awareness of how to adopt an ‘audience first’ approach in a digital context
• Knowledge:
• An understanding of data protection principles in relation to traditional and digital communications
• An awareness of how to use media platforms such as CisionOne to assess overall media impact
• Understanding of how digital communications can complement more traditional communications channels such as media relations, member engagement etc.
• Personal Attributes and Other Requirements:
• The successful candidate will be someone who has strong interpersonal skills, is well-organised, and who is able to hit the ground running
• Be a good team worker demonstrating loyalty and commitment to the organisation and team members

The NRLA package:

• 25 days annual leave increasing to 26 days with three years’ service, 27 days with five years’ service and 28 days with seven years’ service
• Additional annual day off for your birthday
• Salary exchange Pension scheme
• Life assurance
• Cash plan health and wellbeing benefit including Employee Assistance Programme and counselling service
• Sick pay
• Cycle purchase loans, season tickets loans and interest free staff loans
• Complimentary NRLA membership
• Non contractual annual performance-related bonus scheme
• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay