We are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK at the time of application.
Press and
Media Officer
Salary: £40,444 – £45,529
Directorate: Communications
Grade: F15
Location: Chesterfield with regional East Midlands travel
Contract: Permanent
About the
role
We are looking
for an experienced and highly motivated Press and Media Officer to join our
busy Communications team and help shape the daily news agenda for the East
Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) and the Mayor of the East Midlands.
This is a
fast-paced role for someone who understands the media, has excellent news
judgement and knows how to turn complex issues, policies and programmes into
clear, compelling stories.
You will play a
central role in delivering both proactive and reactive media activity, building
strong relationships with journalists and ensuring EMCCA and the Mayor are
represented clearly, accurately and effectively across local, regional and
national media.
From
identifying opportunities to showcase the impact of our work, to responding
quickly and confidently to breaking news and media enquiries, you will help
raise the profile of the Mayor, EMCCA and the East Midlands region.
You will also
provide trusted media advice to senior colleagues and the Mayoral Office,
helping to identify opportunities, anticipate reputational risks and ensure
timely, consistent communications in a rapidly changing media and political
environment.
As a
regional press and media role, you will need to travel regularly across
Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. You will also be expected to participate in the
emergency out-of-hours communications rota, which will involve some evening and
weekend working. Out-of-hours rota work is paid.
What you'll
be doing
You will:
- Deliver proactive and reactive
press and media activity for EMCCA and the Mayor of the East Midlands.
- Develop and maintain strong,
professional relationships with journalists across local, regional and
national media.
- Identify opportunities to turn
EMCCA and Mayoral priorities, programmes and achievements into compelling
news stories.
- Write high-quality press releases,
media statements, briefings, social media content and opinion pieces for a
range of audiences.
- Respond confidently and accurately
to media enquiries, often working to tight deadlines.
- Monitor the news, media and
political landscape to identify emerging issues, opportunities and
potential reputational risks.
- Provide timely, clear and
well-informed media advice to senior colleagues and the Mayoral Office.
- Help shape the daily news agenda
and develop proactive media opportunities that demonstrate the impact of
EMCCA's work across the region.
- Facilitate press conferences and
coordinate media activity around interviews, announcements and events.
- Support journalists and manage
media during interviews with the Mayor and other senior spokespeople.
- Work closely with colleagues across
Communications, Marketing and the wider organisation to develop integrated
communications activity.
- Integrate PR and social media
activity to maximise the reach and impact of key announcements and
campaigns.
- Monitor and evaluate media coverage
and communications activity, using insight to improve future media
approaches.
- Contribute to protecting and
enhancing the reputation of EMCCA and the Mayor through accurate, timely
and consistent communications.
- Travel regularly across Derbyshire
and Nottinghamshire to support media activity, interviews, announcements,
events and other communications activity across the EMCCA region.
- Participate in the emergency
out-of-hours communications rota. This will involve some evening and
weekend working when required, with out-of-hours rota work paid.
About you
We're looking
for an experienced press and media professional who thrives in a fast-moving
environment and understands what makes a story work.
You will have
strong press office, media-handling or news environment experience and be
comfortable managing multiple priorities, responding to enquiries and
delivering accurate work under pressure.
You'll have
excellent writing skills and the ability to adapt your style for different
audiences and channels. Whether you're writing a press release, drafting a
statement, preparing an opinion piece or creating social media content, you'll
know how to communicate complex issues clearly, accurately and compellingly.
Most
importantly, you'll have strong news judgement and reputational awareness.
You'll be able to spot a good story, anticipate where issues may develop,
identify potential risks and provide calm, timely and practical advice to
senior colleagues.
In particular,
we're looking for:
- Strong press office and
media-handling experience, ideally within a fast-paced press office,
agency, newsroom or similar environment.
- Excellent writing and communication
skills, with the ability to produce clear, compelling press releases,
statements, social media content and opinion pieces.
- Strong news judgement, with the
ability to identify stories, generate media opportunities and understand
what will resonate with different audiences.
- The ability to manage proactive and
reactive media activity, often working to tight deadlines and responding
quickly to changing circumstances.
- Strong reputational awareness and
the ability to identify emerging issues, opportunities and potential
risks.
- Experience providing media advice
to senior colleagues or organisational leaders.
- The ability to turn organisational
priorities and activity into relevant, engaging stories that can secure
impactful coverage.
- Excellent organisational skills and
the ability to manage competing priorities in a high-pressure environment.
- A good understanding of the 24/7
news cycle and the demands of modern media.
- Experience of integrating PR and
social media, including creating content for digital channels.
- A collaborative approach and the
confidence to build effective relationships with journalists, colleagues,
partners and senior stakeholders.
- The flexibility to travel regularly
across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire and to participate in the emergency
out-of-hours communications rota, including some evening and weekend
working.
You will have a
degree in communications, public relations, journalism, media, English or a
related subject, or equivalent relevant professional experience.
An
understanding of the political and public policy landscape would be desirable.
A valid UK
driving licence and access to a vehicle would also be desirable.
Your impact
This is more
than a traditional press office role. You'll have the opportunity to help shape
how a new and ambitious regional organisation communicates its priorities,
achievements and impact.
You will play a
key part in ensuring the work of EMCCA and the Mayor reaches the people who
matter, from communities and businesses across the East Midlands to
journalists, partners and national audiences.
You'll be
joining at an exciting time as EMCCA develops its role across the region, with
significant opportunities to tell stories about investment, jobs, skills,
transport, economic growth and the future of the East Midlands.
Our values
We are
committed to creating a region that is more prosperous, sustainable and fairer,
helping our people and businesses to create and seize opportunities.
Our values
underpin how we work:
Lifting our
region
We put wider
regional outcomes at the heart of what we do and act as passionate advocates
for our place, programmes and priorities.
Working
together
We build strong
relationships, bring people together and provide constructive challenge to
achieve better outcomes.
Making an
impact
We turn ideas
into action, focus on outcomes and look for opportunities to create lasting
improvements.
Being human
We value
different perspectives, connect authentically with people and recognise the
importance of putting people at the centre of what we do.
Why join us?
You'll be
joining a growing Communications team at an exciting stage in the development
of EMCCA and the East Midlands Mayor's profile.
You'll have the
opportunity to work on high-profile regional issues, build relationships with a
wide range of media organisations and help shape the public conversation around
the future of the East Midlands.
If you're an
experienced press and media professional with excellent writing skills, strong
news judgement and the ability to deliver under pressure, this is an
opportunity to make a real impact.
Closing
date: 12/10/2026
Interview date: 20/10/2026
Please note: This is a politically restricted post
under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, as amended. The postholder
will be subject to the restrictions associated with politically restricted
posts.