External Affairs Officer (press and public affairs)

We are looking for an External Affairs Officer to help us influence the new government and shape the news agenda. This is a really exciting time to join the team, with the new government and the intake of MPs bringing fresh opportunities for us to increase the impact with our influencing work. 

This role will be at the centre of that work, combining press engagement and public affairs. It’s also an opportunity to lead our work to support experts by experience from our Research Community to have their voice heard in the media, at events and at Parliament.

We are also looking for someone who shares the values of the organisation, and who is passionate about our work to break the link between financial difficulty and mental health problems.

This is a diverse role combining press relations and public affairs. Key tasks and activities will include:

• Developing press releases and media strategies to secure media coverage among key outlets for our research, campaigns and other projects

• Producing briefings, letters and other materials to engage government ministers and other parliamentarians

• Horizon-scanning to identify and act upon opportunities for us to have impact in the media and in Parliament

• Developing and maintaining relationships with stakeholders journalists, parliamentarians and other policy makers

• Supporting and empowering our Research Community members to share their experiences in the media, at events in other contexts

• Writing comment pieces, blogs and other types of content to promote and disseminate our work

• Producing key messaging, Q&As and briefings to brief colleagues ahead of media appearances and other public appearances

• Monitoring media coverage and evaluate impact of PR activity

• Taking part in out of hours media rota from time to time

• Assisting with other communications tasks as required and contribute to the wider work of the Institute

• Contributing to the operational success of the Institute by assisting the with administrative and organisational duties as necessary, including through supporting the work and professional development of junior team members

We are ideally looking for someone who can demonstrate most of the following skills and experiences:

• Experience of working in media relations, journalism or in public affairs

• Proven ability to generate impactful media coverage across different types of media

• A track record of developing and managing relationships with journalists and political stakeholders 

• A strong understanding of the UK political and media landscapes, and how to influence them

• The ability to identify and act upon proactive opportunities to secure impact for our work with parliamentarians and in the media

• The capacity to translate complex information and ideas into compelling media content and political briefings

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write comment pieces, press messaging and other related content

• Experience of working with people in difficult circumstances, showing empathy and sensitivity

• A self-starter, capable of taking the initiative, and a willingness to step out of your comfort zone and to try new things

• Hard working and committed, taking direct ownership of work and seeing things through

• Demonstrable interest in mental health and other key issues on which the Institute works.

Given the diverse nature of this role, we realise that candidates might have more expertise in either press relations or public affairs. We are open to candidates who specialise in one of those areas, provided they show a strong interest in developing their experience in the other.