At a Glance
- Tasks: Craft compelling stories and manage media relations for the iconic Chelsea Pensioners.
- Company: Join the historic Royal Hospital Chelsea, a symbol of gratitude to our veterans.
- Benefits: Gain valuable PR experience in a supportive, purpose-driven environment.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team dedicated to equality and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by sharing meaningful stories that resonate with audiences.
- Qualifications: Strong writing skills and some experience in PR or journalism required.
The predicted salary is between 27744 - 28000 £ per year.
Founded in 1681 by King Charles II, the Royal Hospital Chelsea has stood for centuries as a national symbol of gratitude to the soldiers who have served our country, and is home to the iconic Chelsea Pensioners. Today, the Hospital’s role remains to ensure that those who have served are always supported.
We are now looking for a proactive and creative Press Officer to support the delivery of our press and media, helping bring the stories of the Chelsea Pensioners to life and ensuring they reach audiences across local, regional and national media. If you’re an excellent writer with a strong news instinct, some experience in PR or journalism, and a desire to work with meaningful, human stories – this could be the role for you.
Where you fit in
You’ll join an ambitious Development, Marketing and Communications team focused on raising the Royal Hospital’s profile, increasing fundraising income, and building new audiences through compelling, emotive storytelling. Supporting the Communications and PR Manager, you’ll play a key role in delivering an ‘always-on’ press office, ensuring our stories land where they matter and contribute to organisational objectives.
What you’ll be doing
- Support the delivery of proactive and reactive PR activity, helping to generate consistent coverage and maintain strong media relationships.
- Support the delivery of ‘always-on’ PR, securing regular local and national coverage.
- Manage the observance calendar to identify opportunities around key dates such as Founder’s Day and Remembrance.
- Build and maintain relationships with journalists and media contacts.
- Draft press releases, media briefings and Chelsea Pensioner case studies.
- Play a key role in the day-to-day running of a busy press office, handling media enquiries quickly and effectively.
- Coordinate media visits, facilitating interviews with Chelsea Pensioners and spokespeople.
- Monitor and evaluate coverage, maintaining tracking and reporting tools.
- Support the team with gathering of digital/social content to support the Royal Hospital’s press and wider marcomms objectives.
- Ensure records are accurate, up to date and GDPR compliant.
We’re looking for someone who is:
- A strong writer, able to produce clear, compelling content tailored to different audiences.
- Experienced in PR, communications or journalism (ideally within a charity or purpose-led organisation).
- Developing relationships with media and building a strong contacts base.
- Highly organised, with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
- Confident working both independently and as part of a team.
- Sensitive and empathetic when working with personal and beneficiary stories.
- Calm under pressure, with a good understanding of reputational considerations.
- IT literate, including Microsoft Office and media monitoring tools.
This is a fantastic opportunity to develop your career in PR within a national institution, working on stories that have real impact and meaning. The ethos of the Royal Hospital is one that puts a premium on selflessness and companionship. Our values of nurturing belonging, respect individuals, encourage pride and enjoy life underpin that ethos. We are united in a shared purpose, living and working together and ensuring everyone has a place in our diverse social and military community.
The Royal Hospital Chelsea is dedicated to equality, diversity, and inclusion, where all backgrounds and abilities can reach their full potential. We pride ourselves on attracting a wide range of talent, removing potential barriers, and promoting equal opportunities. We know, the more varied and inclusive our teams are, the better our organisation will be for our community. We are a Disability Confident employer dedicated to hiring diverse talent and ensuring you are treated with respect throughout the recruitment process and upon joining our community.
Press Officer in London employer: Royal Hospital Chelsea Group
The Royal Hospital Chelsea is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to work within a historic institution dedicated to supporting our nation's veterans. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, inclusivity, and a collaborative work culture, you will be part of a passionate team that values storytelling and community engagement. This role not only allows you to develop your PR skills but also to contribute to meaningful narratives that resonate with diverse audiences across the UK.
Contact Details:
Royal Hospital Chelsea Group Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Press Officer in London
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We think you need these skills to ace Press 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 Royal Hospital Chelsea Group. 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 Royal Hospital Chelsea Group.
How to prepare for a job interview at Royal Hospital Chelsea Group
✨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.
