At a Glance
- Tasks: Promote the museum's reputation and manage media communications for exciting projects.
- Company: Join a world-class visitor attraction and leading science research centre.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, pension scheme, training opportunities, and staff discounts.
- Other info: Enjoy a hybrid working model and a vibrant team culture.
- Why this job: Be part of a mission to inspire millions about the natural world.
- Qualifications: 2-3 years of press experience and excellent communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
About Us
We are a world‑class visitor attraction and leading science research centre. We use the museum's unique collections and unrivalled expertise to tackle the biggest challenges facing the world today. We care for more than 80 million objects spanning billions of years and welcome more than five million visitors annually and 16 million visits to our website. Today the museum is more relevant and influential than ever. By attracting people from a range of backgrounds to work for us, we can continue to look at the world with fresh eyes and find new ways of doing things. We employ 1,100 staff in a variety of roles, all united by our vision of a future where people and planet thrive. We need everyone to have the passion and drive to help us with our mission to create advocates for our planet and inspire millions to care about the natural world. Diversity and inclusion matter to us. Our vision is of a future where both people and the planet thrive. Diversity is one of our core values and we strive to build a workplace where everyone feels a sense of belonging. All new staff who join us learn about the importance of diversity and inclusion to the museum and how to contribute to creating an inclusive environment. We know we have more to do, but we are committed to ensuring that everyone who works at the museum feels they can thrive and feel valued and respected.
About The Role
The Communications team is responsible for protecting and promoting the reputation of the Natural History Museum as the UK’s most popular visitor attraction and a world‑leading scientific research centre. The team is primarily responsible for all the museum’s editorial dealings with media, and the role of Communications Officer is varied – no day is the same! It’s an exciting time to join the press team, as you will support communications activity promoting the museum’s flagship campaigns and strategic projects, including temporary exhibitions and new galleries as part of NHM150. Alongside proactively generating coverage for the museum’s world‑leading scientific research, you will support the work of the Commercial Communications Manager, Internal Communications Manager and Wildlife Photographer of the Year Communications Manager. Representing your campaigns across the museum, including developing and presenting communications plans and working closely with the Marketing, Digital and Social Media teams, also forms a key part of your role. You will develop and maintain excellent relationships with both internal stakeholders and media contacts and provide out‑of‑hours cover as part of the 24/7 Press Office duty rota. The role requires you to draft quality press releases, press packs, lines against enquiry, Q&A and statements, often to tight deadlines. You will triage and respond to day‑to‑day reactive press enquiries, support on issues management when needed and supervise filming with our experts both on and off site.
About You
A minimum of 2–3 years’ experience of press work in a busy press office is essential. You’ll have demonstrable experience of organising and supervising journalist visits, interviews, photocalls and filming for a high‑profile organisation. You’ll have proven experience of identifying and managing both reputational risks and opportunities to secure positive media coverage. Experience of working with influencers is desirable. You’ll be able to work well under pressure, prioritise effectively, respond to deadlines and maintain multiple simultaneous projects. You’ll have a flexible and positive attitude, with the desire to create new opportunities and think creatively about challenges. Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English, including the ability to write attention‑grabbing press releases and social media copy that positively influences, is essential. You will be able to accurately communicate complex ideas to non‑specialists, ideally gained through working with academics, scientists or technical specialists in a PR capacity.
Thriving at the Museum: the way we work
We are proud to work at the museum and have identified the qualities we all need to embody to reach our shared ambition. This sits alongside the museum’s values and forms the framework for the way we work.
What We Offer
- 27.5 days holiday plus 8 bank holidays (full time equivalent)
- Generous defined contribution Natural History Museum Pension Scheme (employer contribution 4 – 10 %)
- Season ticket, bicycle and rental loan
- Life insurance
- Free admission to our exhibitions and many other paid exhibitions at museums, galleries and institutions across London and the UK.
- Staff discount at our museum shops and cafes
- We offer a wide variety of training initiatives and opportunities to build skills. Investing in staff development is important to us, and we are ambitious about helping staff to grow and fulfil their potential.
- Affordable membership to the Civil Service Sports Council which offers a range of benefits including an extensive list of special offers and reduced entry fees at a selection of cinema chains, theme parks, theatres, retailers and supermarkets. It also provides entry to up to 300 English Heritage sites and other national treasures.
- Membership to our Sports and Social Association (for a small fee), which includes access to our in‑house gym and clubs such as football, softball, table tennis and tennis and classes in Middle Eastern dance, yoga and Tai Chi
- Hybrid working
We are working towards a vision where both people and planet thrive, and nothing gives a greater connection with this, than seeing first‑hand, the visitors, scientific research and collections that all of our work is inspired by and working side by side with the teams delivering the visitor experience and events. We also recognise the benefits and flexibility that hybrid working brings. We operate a hybrid working model that requires regular, weekly attendance for this role, with the precise pattern of days on site and worked from home to be agreed with your manager.
Communications Officer (Media & PR) employer: Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that champions diversity and inclusion while fostering a sense of belonging among its 1,100 staff. With generous benefits such as 27.5 days of holiday, a robust pension scheme, and opportunities for professional development, employees are encouraged to grow and thrive in their roles. Located in the heart of London, the museum not only provides a unique environment to engage with world-class scientific research but also offers hybrid working options, making it an attractive place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Communications Officer (Media & PR)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on social media, and don’t be shy about reaching out to professionals for a chat. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or a personal website showcasing your best work in media and PR. This is your chance to shine and demonstrate what you can bring to the table. Make sure it’s easy to navigate and highlights your achievements.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews like it’s a big press conference! Research the museum thoroughly, understand its mission, and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their vision of inspiring millions.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our team. Don’t forget to follow up after applying – a little persistence goes a long way!
We think you need these skills to ace Communications Officer (Media & PR)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role shine through! We want to see how much you care about communications and PR, especially in a vibrant environment like ours. Share why you're excited about working at the museum and how you can contribute to our mission.
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in press work and media relations. We’re looking for someone who can hit the ground running, so be specific about your past roles and how they relate to the Communications Officer position. Use examples that showcase your skills in managing media coverage and handling press enquiries.
Craft Compelling Writing Samples:Since excellent written communication is key for this role, include samples of your best press releases or social media copy. We want to see how you can grab attention and communicate complex ideas clearly. If you’ve worked with scientists or academics, mention that too!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at the museum!
How to prepare for a job interview at Natural History Museum
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into the museum's mission and recent campaigns. Familiarise yourself with their flagship projects and how they communicate with the public. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you tailor your responses to align with their values.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Be ready to discuss specific examples from your past roles that demonstrate your press work experience. Highlight instances where you've successfully managed media relations or organised journalist visits. Use metrics if possible to showcase the impact of your work.
✨Prepare for the Pressure
Given the fast-paced nature of the role, think of scenarios where you had to work under tight deadlines. Prepare to share how you prioritised tasks and maintained quality in your communications. This will illustrate your ability to thrive in a busy press office environment.
✨Engage with Diversity
Since diversity and inclusion are core values for the museum, be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to creating an inclusive environment. Share any experiences you have working with diverse teams or communities, and how you can bring fresh perspectives to the role.
