Communications Officer

The Bbc; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading media corporation is seeking a Communications Officer for a six-month opportunity in London. You'll protect and enhance the organization's reputation while managing media queries and producing communications material. Ideal candidates will have experience in a communications environment, excellent interpersonal skills, and a strong media understanding. This is an exciting chance for anyone passionate about public relations and media.

Benefits

Excellent training and mentoring opportunities

Friendly and supportive team environment

Qualifications

• Experience of writing communications materials under tight deadlines.
• Strong understanding of print, broadcast, and online media.
• Excellent spelling, punctuation, and grammar.

Responsibilities

• Handle difficult or sensitive issues.
• Publicise BBC programmes and services.
• Produce communication materials like briefings and press releases.
• Support the running of social media channels.

Skills

Experience in communications environment

Strong knowledge of media

Ability to work under pressure

Excellent written and spoken communication

Excellent interpersonal skills

Computer literate

Strong attention to detail

Social media knowledge

Job description

We are looking for an Communications Officer to work in the heart of the BBC's Corporate Press Office. This is a six-month opportunity, based in London. You will work in the external communications department, protecting and enhancing the BBC's reputation, as well as leading on work that raises awareness of BBC services and programmes. You'll work on busy press desk on a shift basis, often as the first point of contact for media queries. The Corporate Press Office has specific responsibility for handling the media on the BBC's corporate areas, such as the Director-General's work, policy, diversity, the licence fee, strategy, HR, and editorial policy. It also provides a coordinating role for all the BBC's communications from teams including TV and BBC iPlayer, Radio and BBC Sounds, News and Online.

Responsibilities

• Handle difficult or sensitive issues, particularly those which may be reputationally damaging.
• Handle and respond to enquiries from relevant stakeholders where appropriate.
• Carry out tasks such as media monitoring and managing a central Press Office inbox.
• Publicise BBC programmes and services.
• Produce communications material such as writing, editing, and uploading where relevant (i.e. briefings, presentations, and press releases).
• Assist with the planning, organising and delivery of press conferences, briefing and other corporate events where required.
• Support the running of social media channels and assist with the production of assets for use online and in social media.

Qualifications

• Experience in communications environment and of writing communications materials, for publication by a wide range of outlets to short notice and tight deadlines.
• Strong knowledge of the media including print, broadcast, and online channels.
• Ability to work to tight deadlines often under pressure.
• Excellent written and spoken communications including good English spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and social skills, both face-to-face and on the phone.
• Computer literate with strong office skills including the ability translate complex data into easy-to-understand materials.
• Able to learn new IT skills quickly and adapt to different systems, including digital editing and uploading to websites.
• A strong knowledge and use of social media for promoting content and news stories.
• Organised and focused with good attention to detail.

Desirable but not required

• Experience of organising events.

No two days in the BBC's Corporate Press Office are the same. This unique and exciting role in a friendly and supportive team offers first-hand communications experience in one of the busiest press offices in the country. You'll be part of the team that protects and enhances the BBC's reputation, with regular opportunities to work on high-profile stories and campaigns. For those passionate about media and broadcasting, it's a chance to contribute to the BBC's public service mission, which comes at an especially critical time as the Corporation approaches Charter Review. The BBC provides excellent training and mentoring opportunities, and a role in the Corporate Press Office is a brilliant start if you want to progress your career in public relations.