Media and PR Officer

The National Space Centre’s Marketing team are looking to recruit a somebody to develop their media and PR presence. The ideal candidate will be confident, eloquent, a creative copy writer and enjoy working with people to tell the important stories. The role will include relationship building with national and local media, brokering and managing media requests, helping tell the news from space, as well as talking about the National Space Centre as an award winning visitor attraction. You will be happy to reach out to work with credible/educational influencers and science communicators. Some evening and weekend working will be required.

Job Description

Job Title - Media and PR Officer

Reports to - Head of Marketing, National Space Centre

Overall Purpose

To secure local, national, and international coverage in print and online media for the National Space Centre and all its business units. In addition, this role would oversee all filming requests, from initial enquiry to on-site completion. The successful candidate would also manage and build our influencer strategy, working with key family bloggers, science communicators and high profile credible social media channels. Due to the nature of our business this roll will include a wide and varied selection of stories to tell diverse and highly engaged audiences.

Main Tasks

• Answer phone calls from journalists, responding to their questions.
• Check the press office’s email inbox for media enquiries.
• Write press releases, from space news to events hosted by the Centre.
• Phone or email journalists to try to interest them in feature ideas.
• Manage all requests, from initial enquiry to completion, for filming on-site, working to a set policy and strict approvals relating to safeguarding and artefact approvals.
• Monitor media coverage and measuring impact of publicity campaigns on audience engagement.
• Work with the Head of Marketing to devise and produce proactive media campaigns.
• Arrange for spokespeople to speak to the media.
• Attend press conferences or interviews with the organisation’s spokespeople.
• Advise senior staff members on written responses to the media.
• Proof-read and if necessary, rewrite media statements.
• Meet journalists and foster good relations with the media.
• Develop a network of credible influencers to work with for events and stories.
• Manage relationships within the media to develop third-party editorial content creation by our teams.
• Write for and update the organisation’s social media pages.
• Work with the Head of Marketing and CEO to respond to the media during crisis PR events or negative incidents.
• Occasionally be on call to deal with urgent media enquiries during evenings or weekends.
• Developing and disseminating public relations materials that increase visibility among stakeholders and law makers.
• Ensuring that all health & safety procedures, including fire and evacuation procedures are adhered to.
• Undertaking in-house and external training as necessary.
• Other reasonable tasks as may be designated.

Hours

35 hours per week – mostly between Monday and Friday, but some evening, weekend and bank holiday work must be considered part of the job according to the need of the team. Time off in lieu will be granted accordingly.

Workplace

National Space Centre, gallery and office-based work. Occasional travel off-site to attend press briefings and media interviews.

Person Specification

• Must have excellent communications skills and be confident in both radio and TV interview situations (media training can be arranged if necessary).
• A professional and responsible manner, appropriate for liaising with the media and representatives of the UK space science and industrial communities.
• Must be enthusiastic about communicating news and information.
• Ability to produce factually accurate and well written work, suitable for a range of audiences, and often to a short deadline.
• Good IT skills essential, with a willingness and ability to learn more advanced skills.
• Ability to work autonomously and as a member of a team.

Working with Children

An Enhanced Disclosure is required for this role. Information about the Disclosure service can be found at: www.disclosure.gov.uk.

Remuneration

£20,000 to £21,500 per annum dependent upon experience

Please refer to the Job Description.

To apply please submit your CV and a covering letter via BambooHR

(No agencies).

Closing date for completed applications is 12 Noon 27th March 2023

Please note - We reserve the right to bring forward the closing date if we receive a suitable number of high-quality applications from which to make a shortlist. Therefore, we recommend that you apply as soon as possible rather than wait until the published closing date.

Interviews, for short-listed candidates, will be held week commencing 17th April 2023

Candidate privacy statement:

https://spacecentre.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/National_Space_Centre_GDPR_Candidate_privacy_notice-2.pdf