Interim Senior Press Officer

Tender description

Reporting to the Principal (Strategic Communications), Corporate Communications, this person will be required to manage our day-to-day media relations and press handling. They will need to work closely with colleagues within the Corporate Communications pool and across the organisation. The key responsibilities are to: • manage our media relations on a day-to-day basis, including: o handling reactive media enquiries, and providing advice across Ofwat on media handling o building relationships with journalists o writing and issuing press notices o taking an active role in promoting Ofwat’s work and strategy through the press o evaluating and reporting on our press and media performance with insights for improvements • engage with colleagues to understand often complex, technical policy and turn this into accessible, compelling key messages. Skills Required Critical: • Strong experience of working with the media in a media handling role (press) including crisis communications. • Extensive knowledge of the media environment. • Experience of developing media and communications plans. • Ability to translate complex policy and technical documents for broader audiences and to write in clear and accessible language. • Demonstrable experience of providing media briefing and guidance to a wide range of stakeholders including senior executives. Desirable: • Some exposure to social media. • Experience of working in a regulated industry. Location: Based mainly at Ofwat's Birmingham office with occasional travel required to Ofwat's London office. No more than once per week.